Three fires in York County last week wreaked havoc on the homes involved and even claimed the life of one woman who didn’t make it out of her house.
It’s unfortunate that house fires are still causing deaths, and it’s important that homeowners and renters make sure their smoke detectors are in good working condition. For one, it’s the law, and it can certainly save your life.
In Limington last week, 52-year-old Ingeborg Young died after a fire broke out in her home in the early morning hours. Investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office told reporters that it appeared the fire started in the living room, but the cause was not been released.
Limington Fire Chief Michael Hartford said at the time that he was told by the property owner, who rented the home to Young and her husband, that she had learned batteries had been removed from the smoke detector because it had previously been sounding. Hartford urged people to make sure smoke detectors are working and not to remove the batteries. They can make a big difference, he said.
If you have a touchy detector and it goes off when there is not a fire, simply open a window or door to air out the space, or fan the detector ”“ do not remove the batteries, because you may forget to replace them, which means it could be too late when a fire breaks out.
Police reported that Young died from smoke inhalation, and her body was recovered near the front door of the home. It appears that Young was attempting to escape when she died, police said.
The State of Maine requires smoke detectors to be installed and maintained in certain single-family homes, multi-family homes, apartment buildings and other rental units. The advance warning of a fire from a smoke detector can save lives, and allow people to get out of their homes without injury, which is why they are required by law.
It’s important that people check their smoke detectors, and make sure the batteries work. The state fire marshal recommends changing the batteries in your home’s smoke detectors every year, and replacing the units themselves every 10 years. The switch to and from Daylight Saving Time, when everyone is turning clocks forward or back, is an ideal time to remember this maintenance.
The two other fires that occurred in the area last week ”“ in Arundel and Acton ”“ were not fatal, but did cause major structural damage.
In Arundel, a two-story, single-family home on Alfred Road was a total loss, according to firefighters. Thankfully, no one was home at the time of the fire, so no one was injured, but at the fire in Acton, the fire chief there suffered from smoke inhalation while fighting the fire, which destroyed an unoccupied house on Hopper Road.
Loss of life in house fires is preventable ”“ and many fires themselves are, too. This is why it’s important people are diligent in minimizing risk, by making sure heating appliances and fireplaces or stoves are inspected regularly and in good working order, as well as being cautious with open flames like candles and cigarettes. People should always make sure fires, candles and cigarettes are properly extinguished, and never leave appliances that can overheat running when they are not home, including clothes dryers, irons and the like.
Everyone needs to do their part to make sure their family and neighbors are safe, by taking the time to check these things before they leave a room or their home, and making sure that in the event of a fire, working smoke detectors are ready to sound the alarm.
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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham Rousseau on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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