Relative of deadly fire victims says apartment unit’s smoke detectors failed

“My sister is there to pay the rent. that’s their responsibility. If those alarms would’ve been on they would’ve woken up on time.” That is according to Karyna Mendoza, younger sister of Magaly Mendoza.

After last weeks fire took the life of Mendoza and her two daughters, the family is asking questions like “what about the smoke detector?” We went back to Las Casita apartments to ask that question.

Ray Baca, managing partner of Monterrey Assets told us that the whole Monterrey Garden family is terribly saddened by this tragedy, and he assured us that every unit is in fact equipped with a working smoke detector that works and is inspected twice a year.

Apartment managers make sure to let the renters know how to handle the smoke detectors by handing them a smoke detector acknowledgement upon signing their lease.”

“There were two smoke detectors in that unit as there are in every one bed room unit. Renters are advised that should it every become that the battery signal is low battery signal is turned on they should let us know.” That is according to Baca.

I asked Baca if Magaly Mendoza was informed of all this … and he showed me that yes, Magaly signed the apartment’s smoke detector acknowledgement.

Baca also informed us that in this particular case Miss Mendoza had not yet turned on her gas service so that means her smoke detectors would’ve last been checked by the complex somewhere along in march.

We also reached out to a fire spokesman to ask if investigators think the smoke detectors were working properly inside the apartment but were was told “no comment until the investigation is completed.”

If you live in the city of El Paso and you do not have a working smoke alarm you can get one and even have it installed for free by calling 915-485-56-99, and we also have the information now at kvia.com.