Royersford, Spring City FDs: Every Home Needs A Smoke Alarm

SPRING CITY, PA — After a July fire claimed the life of a young man in a home that had no working fire alarm, members of Spring City and Royersford fire departments decided it was time to take action with an extra push to get working smoke alarms into all borough homes.

Fire officials in the twin boroughs found recently that the number of homes without a functioning smoke detector is, well, alarming. Three of every five deaths in home fires happen in homes with no smoke alarm, the Royersford FD said.

"It blows my mind," said Adam Alberico, Royersford Fire Department public relations specialist.

The Royersford Fire Department and the Twin Boroughs Neighbors United program are partnering with Spring City Mayor Dona Kern and Spring City's Liberty Fire Company and Mayor Jenna of Royersford to give out smoke alarms to those in need, free.

The Spring-Ford Diner is lending its parking lot on Aug. 29 from 12-1:30 p.m. for distribution of the smoke detectors — free to borough residents while supplies last.

The Sunday afternoon event will be more than a place to get a free smoke alarm, Alberico said. Fire trucks will be on-site for kids to see, along with an "escape house" to practice home escape in a fire, and information on fire safety. Light snacks will be served by Pink Moose Ice Cream Cafe and Catering.

Local businesses are acting as community partners in the effort. Donating smoke alarms are The Home Depot, Royersford Ace Hardware, Lowe's Home Improvement, Target Upper-Providence. Printing is being donated by Staples, and refreshments by Pink Moose Ice Cream Cafe and Catering, Alberico explained.

He said volunteers will help install the smoke detectors properly, for anyone who needs help.

Alberico said the loss of life in July is something no one wishes to see repeated. The July 11 death of a 24-year-old man in a home at 159 Walnut Street in Spring City Borough is still under investigation, he said.

Liberty Steam Fire Co. webmaster Butch Yeager reported multiple fire departments were called around 2 a.m. when smoke was seen coming from the home. The Fire Chief identified on arrival that someone was trapped on the second floor of the house, in heavy fire.

The Liberty Fire Co. report said fire personnel made an aggressive rescue effort, under deteriorating conditions. Crews made it to the second floor where the man was trapped and they removed him by ladder through a second-floor window to a waiting ambulance.

It took two hours to bring the blaze under control, after which Chester County and Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshals began an investigation of the fire that killed a family's 24-year-old son as well as a family dog and their cat, according to the report.

In this video, twin boroughs mayors and fire chiefs talk about the Neighbors United program:

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