Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and City Fire Chief James Clack reminded residents Thursday to check their smoke alarms and call 311 if they need a free one from the fire department.

The reminder came hours after an elderly woman died in a rowhouse fire.

“The single most important life-saving device in a home is a smoke alarm,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake in a statement. “We also ask our citizens to check on elderly friends and neighbors to ensure they have working smoke alarms in the home and to help us get the word out about our free smoke alarm program.”

Under the program, the fire department will respond within two hours to install a smoke alarm. The city paid for 10,000 smoke alarms and lithium batteries with a federal grant. The alarms are expected to last 10 years. 

The cause of the fire this morning on Biddle Street is still under investigation. It's unclear if there was a working smoke alarm.