At least two different residential fires have caused deaths in Owensboro over the last couple of weeks. Though both fires are currently under investigation, the incidents have prompted city leaders and staff at the Owensboro Fire Department to remind individuals to monitor the smoke alarms in their homes.
According to OFD Battalion Chief and City Fire Marshall Steve Leonard, 90 percent of people will not escape their residence without a working smoke detector.
“Most people die of smoke inhalation, not burns,” Leonard said. “If you have a working smoke detector in each room in your home — other than the bathroom and kitchen — you have a 90 percent chance of escaping from the home.”
Those who have a working smoke detector on each level of their home — but not in every room aside from the kitchen and bathroom — have a 50 percent chance of escaping a fire, Leonard added.
After City Commissioner Larry Conder lost his cousin, Tony Conder, this week due to smoke inhalation sustained during a fire on West First and Plum Streets, Conder was prompted to remind individuals of the importance of having a working smoke detector.
“I would encourage everyone to check the batteries in smoke detectors, test the detectors and make sure fire extinguishers are ready to go,” he said. “Should anyone need help, OFD has free smoke alarms available to low-income families.”
Leonard has been investigating the fire that killed Conder, and he confirmed the home did not appear to have a smoke detector inside. However, the home was severely damaged, Leonard said, and it’s possible that a smoke detector literally melted off the ceiling.
There was no smoke detector found at the recent residential fire on Kipling Street either, Leonard said.
Leonard started OFD’s Smoke Detector Program 20 years ago and has given away around 700 smoke alarms. He also said free smoke detectors are primarily provided to severely struggling families and senior citizens who are on fixed incomes.
Smoke detectors are affordable for almost everyone, Leonard added, costing about $7-$8 apiece.
“In our experience, most people are able to afford them,” he said. “It’s a very inexpensive way to stay alive.”
Leonard said those with smoke detectors should check once a month to make sure their smoke detector works and replace the batteries once a year.
Newer homes have wired smoke detectors that come with the house and don’t have to replace the batteries. However, in the event of a power outage, a backup smoke detector does run on batteries, and those should continue to be replaced once a year, he said.
Anyone who feels they qualify for a free smoke detector can ask for Battalion Chief Steve Leonard by calling 270-687-8407 or 270-687-8404.
