LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Dona Ana County officials said Friday that they know how the three people lost their lives in a house fire on Wednesday night.

“The bars kept them from being able to get out,” said county spokesman Jess Williams.

If the wrought-iron bars covering the windows posed a safety hazard, KFOX wanted to know who's looking out for the public, and notifying them of the potential risk.

“The county doesn't regulate that sort of thing,” said Williams.

But Jerry Deal, a retired contractor of over 30 years, said that's not necessarily true. Deal said it may not be enforced after a home is built, but initially, any new house that goes up has to be inspected. He said it's after that inspection where the problem lies.

"Typically, what happens is the home owner has security bars built by the cheapest (contractor) he can get it done, (and it) may not be by the most qualified,” said Deal.

But it's never too late to make your home safe. All you have to do is go to your local hardware store.

“If people have security bars on their house that don't operate, that are not operable from the inside, then they need to get them fixed,” said Deal.

Spike Skaggs, of Craigentaggert Inc., said his business sells wrought-iron security bars that open from the inside to contractors. Skaggs said had the home in Chaparral had operating bars on their windows, then three people would probably still be alive.

However, instead of looking in the past maybe the better question is whether or not the county will start enforcing a code ordinance on homes like the one that burnt down in Chaparral.

“It's certainly possible the board of county commissioners might entertain something like that,” said Williams.