Alarming Number of Fire Deaths
in 2007, Smoke Detectors Missing from Missouri Homes and Buildings
JEFFERSON CITY, February 8, 2007-State Fire Marshal
Randy Cole said more Missourians have died in fires during the first
five weeks of 2007 than during the same time period over the past
five years.
Cole indicates between January 1st and February 7th state investigators
have investigated a total of 15 structure fires across Missouri which
have resulted in 20 deaths. Cole said this figure is excessively high
when compared to the number of fire deaths his agency investigated
during the same time frame in previous years:
20 deaths in 2007
7 deaths in 2006
9 deaths in 2005
14 deaths in 2004
5 deaths in 2003
“It is a proven fact that properly operating
smoke detectors save lives. Such tragedies can be prevented by simply
testing and maintaining smoke alarms and practicing a fire escape
plan,” Cole said.
Cole said the most tragic losses occurred in Pemiscot
County where four young children perished in two separate fires. On
January 10th two one-year-old twins died in a residential fire caused
by clothes left on a space heater. A one-year-old girl and a five-year-old
girl died in a fire caused by careless use of smoking materials on
February 6th. Neither home had working smoke detectors present.
Of the 20 fatalities, nine occurred in seven fires
where no smoke detectors were present, according to Cole. Four other
deaths occurred in three fires where it could not be determined if
detectors were present due to the extent of fire damage.
Cole advised all smoke alarms homes should be tested
once a month and batteries replaced at least annually. Smoke detectors
have become rather inexpensive and many fire departments will furnish
detectors and batteries to residents who cannot afford to purchase
them.
Cole cautions that smoke alarms do not last forever.
It is recommended residential smoke detectors be replaced every 10
years. If a person cannot remember how old the alarm is, then it is
probably time for a new one.
Of the 2007 fatal fires, 13 occurred in private homes,
one in an apartment building, and one as a result of a welding accident
in a manufacturing facility.
Fire Marshal Cole said there were only minor similarities
between the causes of the fatal fires. Two involved careless use of
smoking materials; two began with cooking equipment; two were determined
to be electrical problems; one involved an electric portable space
heater; and one was caused by careless use of candles. Investigators
were unable to determine the causes of five of the fires due to the
severity of the fire damage.
The locations of the fatal fires were scattered throughout
the state:
Audrain County: 1 fatality
Benton County: 2 fatalities
Cass County: 1 fatality
Greene County: 1 fatality
Jefferson County: 1 fatality
Miller County: 2 fatalities
Newton County: 3 fatalities
Nodaway County: 2 fatalities
Pemiscot County: 4 fatalities
St. Charles County: 1 fatality
Taney County: 1 fatality
Wayne County: 1 fatality
Cole stresses the importance of practicing proper fire
safety behaviors and an awareness of potential fire hazards in your
home. Having the mind set that “it won’t happen to me”
is a critical mistake.