Smoke alarm batteries missing in Market Drayton fire tragedy

A 61-year-old woman who died when fire ripped through a semi-detached house in Market Drayton had no working smoke alarms fitted at her home, it emerged today.

The victim, named locally as Jennifer Jones, died in the blaze in Maer Lane yesterday morning.

Firefighters revealed that there were no batteries in two smoke alarms at the house. Deputy chief fire officer John Redmond said the incident was a 'terrible tragedy' which the service had predicted in a report in December.

In it, officials forecast that the next victim of a house fire in Shropshire would be an elderly woman, living alone, in a house with a smoke alarm that was probably not working.

Mr Redmond said: "We need people to check that their relatives, in particular elderly parents, friends and neighbours all have smoke alarms which do not have the batteries removed."

Crews said they battled smoke and flames when they arrived just after 7.45am.

Roger Smith, from Market Drayton fire station, said the blaze mainly affected the rear of the house. He added: "When we arrived the fire was well alight and there was smoke everywhere.

"There was smoke coming out from under the eaves and we thought at one point it could spread next door."

Despite paramedics' attempts nothing could be done to save the victim.

Police have yet to formally identify the woman but a report is being prepared for the coroner.

See also:

• Woman killed in Market Drayton house fire