The cost of fire code enforcement reviewed

Five of the six fire deaths in Montgomery County in 2005 could have been prevented if the fire department had enough code inspectors to deal with a growing population and a backlog of inspections, fire officials said.

Five elderly residents died in fires in senior living centers or high-rises that should have been brought up to code. None of the buildings had the required sprinkler system, Fire Chief Tom Carr told the County Council?s Public Safety Committee Wednesday.