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Posted: March 25, 2009

No batteries in smoke detector where child died in fire

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Fayetteville duplex fire

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Fayetteville duplex fire

Fayetteville, N.C. — A smoke detector in a duplex where a 3-year-old girl died in a fire Sunday night didn't work because it had no batteries, authorities said Wednesday.

Nevaeh Pratt died when a fire swept through a duplex off Murchison Road. Her father, Kenneth Pratt, remains in critical condition at the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, with third-degree burns over 50 percent of his body.

Investigators said the fire started in the kitchen, but they haven't yet pinpointed a cause. Relatives have said they think a faulty stove was to blame.

Commander Ron Lewis of the Fayetteville Fire Department said a smoke detector in the duplex had no batteries. State law requires that rental properties have working smoke alarms.

RELATED TOPICS: Fayetteville

Copyright 2011 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Latest Comments
Sad story.

Reminded me to call my friend NOW and get them to replace the battery in the alarm that was chirping at thier house.
Sessy V--V
March 26, 2009 12:40 p.m.
a good rule to remember is always change your batteries with the change in daylight saving time. a new battery when you spring forward and fall back should keep it fresh and churp free!
Firegal
March 26, 2009 11:28 a.m.
I have witnessed people take out batteries because they are tired of the chirping, but dont have an extra to put back in. Most of the time, they do not put the detector back on the wall, because they may forget they need a battery. Where I live, the detectors are wired into the unit, and I guess have a backup battery? I have never had to changed one out, so never a need to take it down.
Tired of thoughtlessness
March 26, 2009 10:27 a.m.
RIP Nevaeh. Praying for all involved in this tragedy.
Click to view my profile lovecarolinagutters
March 26, 2009 10:05 a.m.
Sad that some people don't know that a working smoke detector should have a light on it and be tested periodically.
Click to view my profile AtALost
March 26, 2009 9:47 a.m.
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