With all the recent  home fires, Hastings Fire Chief Mark Jordan asks that residents check their Smoke Detectors. Working Smoke Detectors can help quicken response time. Hastings/Birch fire fighters have responded to five  house fires recently,  quite an increase for a typical winter.   Jordan told WBCH that recent house fires have been caused by a candle being  knocked over, and by heating and electrical issues. Hastings residents can contact their Fire Department if they need smoke detectors and the Fire Department will direct you to programs that provide them for free.