MIAMI COUNTY, Ohio -- Miami County Deputy Mark Slater credits a passing motorist for possibly saving the lives of the occupants of a farmhouse on fire early Sunday morning just south of Pleasant Hill. Slater identified that motorist as Katrina (Katie) Byrd of Covington.

The young woman, said Slater, opened the front door of the home at 722 State Route 48 and yelled to awaken the family who didn't realize their house was on fire. The time was 3:15 a.m.

MIAMI CO: Passing Motorists Credited With Saving Lives

On the 911 tape, Byrd could be heard knocking on the door while reporting the fire to the dispatcher.

"Anyone home?" she screamed.

"What's going on?" asked what appeared to be a child.

"Your house is on fire, please come out the front!" Katie yelled.

Fire departments from Pleasant Hill-Newton Township, Laura, Ludlow Falls and West Milton answered the pre-dawn alarm.

Fire and heavy smoke was coming from the two-story dwelling when firefighters arrived on the scene.

Pleasant Hill-Newton Township Fire Chief Joe Marchal said the cause of the fire is officially being listed as undetermined. "But," said the Chief, "the fire appeared to have started in the rear of the home in or near to a woodburning stove or fireplace."

There were no injuries.