Woman’s injuries in Raytown house fire renews focus on smoke detectors

RAYTOWN, Mo. - A Raytown woman remained in critical condition days after being pulled from her burning home.

Some of the same crews that battled the fire at her home on Saturday were back in the neighborhood on Thursday to help prevent future fires and injuries.

Less than a week after the fire, Lisa Smallwood’s home is still a scene fresh with boarded up windows and doors, with pieces of the roof and a bed scattered in the driveway.

It’s that scene that firefighters used to highlight the importance of properly working smoke detectors, something Smallwood’s home did not have.

“It’s just a lot of memories,” said Raytown firefighter Keith Smith. “It’s a significant fire and somewhat of a good thing came out of it - nobody lost their life.”

Smith was joined with about a dozen other firefighters who went door-to-door hanging information and coupons about smoke detectors.

A fund has also been set up for Smallwood and her son Travelle. Contributions can be made at any Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Company.