Smoke Detector Averts Possible Fire Disaster In Montclair

Montclair, NJ – They say that smoke detectors save lives.

In Montclair, firefighters know that phrase to be true.

The Montclair Fire Department recently shared the story of a March 23 fire in town that could have resulted in potential tragedy if not for a smoke detector.

According to Deputy Chief Robert Duncan, a Willowdale Avenue resident learned of a burning couch in their living room in the nick of time when their device went off. With the advance warning, the resident was able to extinguish the flames while they were still small.

Even with the resident’s quick actions, a portion of the couch burned and scorched the wall behind it, Duncan stated.

The fire alarm that potentially saved the resident’s life was installed during the Montclair Fire Department’s “MLK Day of Service” on Jan. 18, Duncan said.

The local effort – part of a national day of action – was a collaboration between the MFD, the Montclair State University Center for Community Engagement and Center for Student Involvement and several Essex County volunteers.

“Because of the resident’s quick action in response to the smoke detectors activation, there was no risk to life, and property damage was kept to a minimum,” Duncan said. “Thanks to the efforts of all the volunteers a potential tragedy may have been averted.”

Sign up for Patch NJ email newsletters here.

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

File photo by Liz West via Flickr