ZEIGLER — A Zeigler woman is being credited with saving the lives of her neighbor and his 3-year-old son after she alerted them to a fire at their home early Sunday morning.

According to the Zeigler Fire Department, Sheri Slomka called 9-1-1 just after midnight Sunday, reporting the wooden deck on her neighbor’s home was engulfed in flames and the fire was quickly spreading to the home itself.

Slomka then ran to the neighbor’s home and alerted them to the fire, allowing them to safely exit.

She reportedly discovered the fire when she noticed an orange glow from her bedroom window and looked outside to find the deck ablaze. Slomka immediately called 911 and ran over to the burning structure to alert the family.

According to the father, he and his young son were fast asleep in the home when Slomka alerted them. Smoke alarms were present in the home, but did not activate due to the exterior position of the fire.

Crews quickly arrived and extinguish the fire, and it was declared under control approximately 15 minutes after the first engine company arrived on scene.

Both the father and son were evaluated and treated for smoke inhalation on scene.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal. No further details will be released at this time.