The Nov. 14 fire on George Wright Road raised awareness of the need for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all residences — and the need for the town’s emergency and fire crews to know which properties have rental units.

Woolwich selectmen discussed the fire and rental unit issue at their Nov. 18 meeting.

At the time of the fire, emergency responders were surprised to see a family emerge from a building on the same property as the home that was ablaze. They were tenants renting an apartment above a garage who had no idea that a fire was in progress less than 30 feet away.

“We try to protect the structures, but we will get the people out first,” EMS Director/Deputy Fire Chief Bill Longley Jr. said.

Woolwich Fire Chief Geoffrey McCarren is concerned that the town’s fire and EMS departments might not know where renters are living in the event of an emergency, like the one on George Wright Road.

Because of this, McCarren has asked for a list of those homes that have tenants or rental units. The last such survey was done in the 1980s.

Maine has a law that requires smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in each unit of an apartment building. This same law provides that all rental units are to install detectors, including single-family dwellings rented on a seasonal basis.

In addition, when a residential property is sold, the purchaser must certify either that detectors are in the residence at the time of transfer or that they will be installed within 30 days of either acquiring or occupying the structure.

It was agreed that the town assessor will be asked to develop a list of properties in Woolwich that have rental units or are not owner-occupied. The EMS and fire departments will share the list so that both will be able to alert any tenants of an emergency situation.