Working the overnight shift can be slow for local law enforcement.....until it isn’t.  Yesterday (Jan 29) would not be among those slow days for Sheriffs deputies passing through Witt.  A deputy noticed a growing cloud of smoke just before 3am streaming out of a residence at 213 North First Street.   The Deputy searched the area to find the source of the smoke and located a residence which was on fire. The Deputy advised Montgomery County Telecommunications of the fire resulting in the Witt Fire Department being dispatched to the scene. The Deputy then began making attempts to alert the occupants of the residence and was quickly assisted by a second Montgomery County Deputy. The Deputies were able to make contact with the occupants of the residence who had been asleep and were unaware of the fire. A male and female resident along with a 4 year old child and pet were safely evacuated from the residence without injury. “The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is extremely grateful for the alertness and quick actions of the Deputies. It is unknown what theoutcome may have been had the fire not been observed until later but we believe the residents and their pet are safe today due to the actions of the Deputies, Telecommunicators, and other first responders” stated Sheriff Holshouser. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend its appreciation to the following first responder agencies that responded to the scene and provided support: Witt Fire Department, Nokomis Fire Department, Fillmore Fire Department, Coffeen Fire Department, Litchfield Fire Department, Nokomis/Witt Area Ambulance, Montgomery County EMA, and Red Cross.