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Rockland County Residents Neglecting Smoke Detectors

NEW CITY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - It's a wake up call for us all, the disturbing trend in Rockland County.

Fire Coordinator Gordon Wren told WCBS 880 reporter Sean Adams that he is seeing more and more fires in homes without smoke alarms.

There were two over the weekend - one in New City and one in a garden apartment complex in Spring Valley.

Rockland County Residents Neglecting Smoke Detectors

"I walked in every room. I saw no smoke detectors. The next apartment, I found a smoke detector in the rubble where the firefighters had pulled the ceilings to get to the hidden fire and I found a smoke detector. We opened it and no battery," Wren said. "And I talked to the resident, the occupant of that apartment and I said 'We found a smoke detector near the bathroom.' and he said 'Yes.' So, said 'It had no battery in it.' He goes, 'Yeah, I just never thought about it.'"

Wren said that a $10 smoke detector could save your life. It's a small price to pay.

Senior citizens can call the fire training center at 845-364-8800 if they need help with installation.

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