No working smoke detectors found in Taunton home where woman and two dogs died in fire – Boston News, Weather, Sports

TAUNTON, MASS. (WHDH) – Investigators have found no working smoke detectors in the Taunton home where a woman and two dogs died in a fire Thursday, officials said.

The Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s Office stressed the importance of checking and replacing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors after a fire engulfed a home at 19 North Walker Street.

Emergency crews responded to the home around 3:30 p.m. after passersby noticed smoke, the State Fire Marshal’s office said in a statement. Firefighters quickly entered the home and found an elderly woman who was pronounced dead at the scene, the statement said.

According to the office, two dogs also died in the fire.

Investigators identified several possible causes – all accidents, the office said. Two outdated smoke detectors were found in the home, but neither of them had batteries, investigators said.

The investigation is ongoing and the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to determine the woman’s cause and manner of death.

“Take a few minutes to check the manufacturing date printed on the back of your smoke detector and replace it if it is more than 10 years old,” said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine.

“If there is no date listed, replace it immediately. If you buy a new alarm, choose one from a well-known, national brand that has a sealed, long-lasting battery and a silencer,” he continued. “And please – never disable a smoke or carbon monoxide detector. They are your first line of defense against a home emergency.”

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