Erie, PA – A fire chief says there weren’t enough working smoke detectors at a Pennsylvania home day care center where a fire killed five children.
Fire Chief Guy Santone told a Tuesday news conference that state officials who inspect home day care centers do not check for smoke detectors. City authorities and state legislators are working on legislation that would make home day care centers register with the city, so it can deploy inspectors.
A message seeking comment was left with the Department of Human Services.
Santone said fire officials suspect the blaze that broke out Sunday morning at Harris Family Daycare was accidental.
An adult and two adolescent boys were able to escape the fire. Five children ranging in age from 8 months to 7 years died.
