Portable fire extinguishers at the Aurella Cary Apartments on the 100 block of Harlon Drive had not been inspected since December 2019, officials said.
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A fire inspection was conducted in 2020, and the fire extinguishers should have been examined as part of that annual inspection.
Cary officials said the town gave property managers a verbal reminder about the requirements.
The deadly fire broke out in a three-story building at the complex, formerly known as Misty Woods Apartments, on Monday afternoon.
A 9-month-old died from injuries sustained in the fire, and three others were hospitalized.
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Damage to nearly 30 affected units was extensive, authorities said.
The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Many residents told ABC11 about safety issues within the building, including a fire last month and other electrical problems.
"The top apartment floor was barreling smoke up," said Jen Peltier, who lives in a nearby building. "It had to have started pretty fast because there was no warning for my side, at least."