The raging fire that broke out at the Stonegate Apartment complex in Warren on Wednesday night could have been much worse.

No human lives were lost, but some residents lost pets and belongings and were left homeless after the blaze. The fire apparently erupted from maintenance efforts to thaw a frozen pipe, according to Warren Fire Department Chief Ken Nussle.

The fire underscores the importance of having working smoke detectors in all homes, be they apartments or single-family houses.

We’ve witnessed and reported on too many fires that claimed the lives of people who might be alive today if smoke detectors had been installed and maintained.

Smoke detectors are relatively inexpensive when you consider that they can prevent fires like this latest blaze from becoming even more tragic. They can and do save lives.

Those in need in Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties can have them installed for free by contacting the American Red Cross Northern Ohio Region at 330-535-2030. The organization’s website states that a representative will contact callers within a week to make an appointment for its volunteers to install smoke detectors in their homes at no cost.

The extreme cold also played a role in the fire.

Our area has been fortunate to enjoy rather mild winters in recent years. But when temperatures drop into single digits or well below zero — as we’ve seen this week — pipes can easily freeze, as noted last week in this space. Never attempt to thaw frozen pipes with an open flame.

Thankfully, residents were able to escape the blaze, but some are in need of new places to live. The Red Cross has been called in to assist residents, said Warren Safety Service Director Eddie Colbert.