State: Many smoke detectors in Mora fire not working
The Minnesota Fire Marshal's office says many of the smoke detectors were not working in the Mora apartment building where three people died in a fire last week.
Investigators say all hard-wired smoke detectors in the four apartments were not working when the fire broke out last Thursday. Each apartment had a battery-powered smoke detector, but only one of those smoke detectors may have been operational.
The state fire marshal's office says the fire appears to be accidental, but the cause won't be known until the investigation is complete.
The fire killed 48-year-old Michael Caley and his 12-year-old son, Coleman, and a neighbor, 68-year-old Shirley Norling.
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Preliminary autopsy results indicate the three died of smoke inhalation. A fourth person was injured and flown to a Twin Cities hospital.
It is a tragic reminder for Minnesotans to check the safety equipment in their own home, said Department of Public Safety spokesman Doug Neville.
Neville reminds residents to regularly check their smoke detectors to ensure operability, and that periodically refresh the batteries. Hard-wired smoke detectors should also be tested.
"Especially this time of year when people are having fires, lighting candles, celebrating the holidays with all the decorations," Neville said.
MPR reporter Tim Nelson contributed to this report.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)