Smoke detectors a must

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By EMC News

EMC News -Stirling- Rawdon - Occupants of a home damaged by fire may be lucky to be alive, Fire Chief Rick Caddick says, but now face charges of failing to install smoke alarms.

The Stirling-Rawdon Fire Department (SRFD) was called to a home on Salem Road on Wednesday, February 1, where, he says, "quick and decisive action by the firefighters contained the fire to the immediate area of origin." Smoke was seen coming from the residence when crews arrived, Caddick says, and it was determined the fire started as the result of a wood burning appliance. He adds, "the occupants were extremely lucky to have survived this situation as the fire was in the very room in which the occupant was sleeping."

However, he says, they awoke to a bedroom filling with smoke and were able to escape without injury.

A total of 28 members of SRFD attended with the assistance of Centre Hast-ings, Marmora and Lake and Quinte West who all provided additional tankers for water shuttle. There were no working smoke alarms installed on the main floor, Caddick says, or near the sleeping areas within the home. "It's the law," he cautions. "Working smoke alarms must be installed on every level of your home and near sleeping areas."

Damage was estimated at about $25,000.