SEATTLE -- An elderly couple are safe after escaping their burning house in the Green Lake neighborhood.

Seattle Fire Department Deputy Chief Steve Oleson said that when firefighters arrived, flames were coming from the house in the 2200 block of North 59th Street, around 2 a.m. Friday.

Oleson told KIRO 7 that the husband was alerted to the fire when he smelled something.

Firefighters had to cut a hole in the roof to gain access to the fire, Oleson said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.