A Woolwich mother whose three children had recently attended a fire prevention week open house was awakened by her children about 4 a.m. Tuesday morning when the fire alarms in the house went off.

According to Woolwich Fire Chief Jeff McCarren, the three children, all five years old and under, were awakened by the smoke alarms and woke their mother. The fire occurred on the George Wright Road, at the home of Christine Lockyer. It was called in at 3:50 a.m.

The Woolwich Fire Department responded and was first on the scene. Five other fire departments, including Wiscasset, Bath, West Bath, Georgetown, and Phippsburg also responded. About 30 firefighters responded, including 15 firefighters from Woolwich, he said.

According to McCarren, the fire was not of suspicious origin and the house was not a complete loss. The fire started in the rear of the house, and is believed to have been caused by an electrical problem.

McCarren said Tuesday afternoon, these same children had attended the town’s open house celebrating Fire Prevention Week last month, and participated in a fire prevention class provided by Woolwich Fire Department members.

"They listened and knew what to do when they heard the alarm," McCarren said.