Investigators from the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal say a smoke alarm in an apartment on Thornberry Crescent was not working the night it burned.

Martin Bossom, 30, died on Saturday after a fire broke out overnight Thursday.

Bossom's girlfriend is recovering from critical injuries.

"It's a tragic reminder to residents and hopefully they'll take the time today to check the smoke alarm in their homes," said Lee Tome, chief fire prevention officer for Windsor Fire and Rescue. "Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every floor of your home. It truly is the cheapest form of life insurance you can buy."

The Ontario Fire Marshal's office has finished its investigation at the scene. It's not releasing any information about the cause of the fire.

Tome said non-compliance when it comes to smoke alarms is a major issue.

"In 2011, Windsor Fire and Rescue services visited 1,345 dwellings, of which 43 per cent did not comply with our current requirement of having working smoke alarms at every level of the home and directly outside sleeping areas," he said. "So, obviously that's an issue."

Tome said Windsor fire is planning to launch a public campaign called "Wake up! Get a working smoke alarm!" in a couple of months.

Tome says the damage at Thornberry Crescent is estimated at $275,000.