Fires without working smoke alarms on the rise

CONCORD — During the past month, New Hampshire has experienced at least three residential structural fires where smoke alarms were either tampered with and not working, or not present at all. Fires in Lebanon, Hooksett, and Plymouth all occurred after dark while residents were sleeping. The fires in all of these instances were significant enough to cause the families living in these dwelling units to be displaced.

State officials said the state is fortunate that none of these fires resulted in serious injury or death. However, the state’s fire marshal considers them to be red-flag warnings that more public education about smoke and carbon monoxide alarms is needed.