Fire deaths down thus far

Iowa’s recorded 25 fire deaths statewide this year. That’s one fewer than on this date a year ago. Jeff Quigle , supervisor of the Fire Prevention Bureau of the state Fire Marshal’s office, says one death is too many, but he’s encouraged to see the numbers continue to drop, year after year. Quigle says the overall trend in the state’s number of fire deaths has, over the decades, dropped significantly. He attributes that to the widespread implementation of smoke detectors and to the rise in fire prevention programs in schools that have brought a greater public awareness.