MURFREESBORO — Residents in one neighborhood are safer in their homes thanks to the Murfreesboro Fire Department.

Recently, members with the fire department visited homes in the River and Boyette Street areas to install smoke detectors. The devices were obtained through a grant the department received from the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal.

According to Murfreesboro Public Safety Director Darrell Rowe, the fire department received a non-monetary grant of 175 smoke detectors.

Rowe, along with Murfreesboro Fire Chief Bryant Cooke, said the smoke detectors were placed in homes, mostly older wooden structures, where the devices were not present.

“A lot of homes we go into do not have smoke detectors,” said Cooke. “That’s the first line of defense in getting out (in a fire).”

Cooke added each of the detectors have a 10 year life battery.

Rowe said he appreciated the fire fighters taking the time out of their own schedule to complete the good deed as most know they all have full time jobs on top of their volunteer duties.

“I would also like to thank them personally for taking the time out to prevent injury to any of our citizens,” he said.