By Howard Packowitz
NORMAL – Investigators said Friday there were no working smoke detectors to warn an elderly woman who died in a house fire in Normal earlier this month.
The Normal Fire Department released a statement about the June 12 fire in the 1300 block of Baugh Drive that killed Judith Dawson, 76.
Investigators also reported the fire started in the kitchen, near the stove. Authorities do not suspect foul play.
The fire department urged people to make sure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working. They should be tested monthly, and replaced if they’re more than 10 years old.
“The loss of a life from a fire is something we don’t take lightly,” said Fire Chief Mick Humer.
He added, “You need to check your smoke alarms and make sure they work properly, and if you have elderly neighbors or relatives, check in with them, and help them to make sure their detectors are working, too.”
At a minimum, there should be at least one smoke alarm on each level of the home, and one inside and outside sleeping rooms.
The fire department said interconnected smoke alarms provide the best warning, because if one alarm goes off, they all go off. Smoke alarms provide the early warning needed to escape a fire, especially if the fire happens when residents are sleeping.
“As always, if you smell smoke, or your alarms are going off, please call the fire department to have us investigate,” said Chief Humer.
“We are more than happy to come out to make sure everything is safe,” the chief also said.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
