Fire chiefs say smoke alarms were disconnected in a house where a woman died and her parents were injured.
Fire investigators probing the tragedy that killed Melissa Creedy, aged 31, of Mount Street, Hednesford, also found that back-up warning batteries were missing from the alarms.
The blaze raged through the house at 2.45am yesterday . The dead woman's 60-year-old mother was recovering today after being rescued in a critical condition by firefighters and her father was treated for the effects of smoke.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service today issued an urgent warning to families to make sure they have smoke alarms fitted in their homes and that they are working properly.
"In this case it appears that at some point the hard-wired smoke alarms had been disconnected and back-up batteries removed," said spokesman Paul McCafferey.
The blaze was believed to have started in the kitchen and spread to other parts of the house.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Bob Russell said today: "This tragic incident just goes to show that fire can happen anywhere and at any time.
"We are urging people to please make sure they do not become the next victims. People are twice as likely to die in a fire at home if they haven't got a smoke alarm.
"An alarm is the easiest way to alert people to the danger of fire, giving them precious time to escape.
"They are cheap and easy to get hold of and are also simple and straightforward to install."
