Fire Officials: Chesterfield Mobile Home Park Most Dangerous In District

Residents of Chesterfield's Mobile Home Park were found to be the most vulnerable to danger from fires in the entire , fire officials said.

So local firefighters have installed 230 smoke alarms at the Park so far, Monarch Fire Marshall Roger Herin said Monday.

The most recently organized efforts were this past Thursday, and Sunday.

Herin said the criteria for the high-risk determination included:

• condition of the housing
• firefighting-rescue tactical considerations
• population demographics.

A $10,000 grant was used to buy 448 smoke alarms, pamphlets, hardware and related tools to install. The alarms were installed with 10-year batteries.

Special smoke alarms for hearing-impaired were also available, that typically include flashing lights.

U.S. Fire Administration Assistance to Firefighters Fire Prevention and Safety provided the grant. Innovative Real Estate Management Company for the mobile home park worked with Monarch Fire to get the alarms installed.

Ultimately, every unit would be equipped with smoke alarms—one in each bedroom, a hallway or other common area, officials said.

There have been , the most recent in January 2012. All were total losses, fire officials said.