Partnership providing smoke detectors to Chamois residents after deadly fire

A Chamois family lost two children in a house fire in February. Three of every five home fire deaths results from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Missouri Care Inc., in partnership with the city of Chamois, the Chamois Fire Department and Community Christian Church in Linn, announced Friday a contribution of $6,000 to supply 300 smoke detectors at no cost to homes in Chamois and surrounding Osage County.

The smoke detectors include a 10-year, non-removable battery and will be installed by the Chamois Fire Department. During installation, fire department personnel will discuss fire safety, including plans to leave the house, with children and families.

"The Chamois Fire Department is very grateful to Missouri Care for making it possible to install a smoke detector in very house that needs one," Chamois Fire Chief James Mehmert said. "This has been a long time dream of the fire house, and we are thankful for the new partnership with Missouri Care that helped make this possible."

To receive a some detector, contact the church at 573-897-3011 or leave a message at the Chamois Fire Station at 573-763-5195.