That's if the management company that handles the rental property follows through today with an order from the South Brunswick Fire Marshal's Office.

Officials said yesterday they told Lower County Property Management in Winslow Township, the company overseeing the 40-unit federally subsidized complex off Black Horse Lane, it was in violation of state law by not installing the specialty smoke detectors. Standard smoke detectors

were in the home when the family arrived.

Using written responses to a reporter's questions yesterday, the Sonnenbergs said they've requested the smoke detectors at least a half-dozen times since coming there in August 2002, but have gotten nowhere.

But Sue Linke, a site manager for Lower County, said yesterday was the first time she's heard of the couple's request. The smoke detectors will be installed today, she said.

"They've never asked me for it," Linke said. "If they did, I would have gotten it to them a lot sooner."

Fire Marshal Robert Davidson said a Lower County representative, Sharon Barton, told South Brunswick Deputy Fire Marshal Michael Whalen yesterday the same thing. Barton could not be reached.

State Assemblyman William Baroni, R-Middlesex, Mercer, said he also wrung assurances from Lower County yesterday that it would install the hearing-impaired smoke detectors today.

Baroni showed up at the Deans Apartments after the couple and a neighbor speaking on the family's behalf went to the South Brunswick Township Council meeting Tuesday night to tell officials of their plight.

Baroni, a lawyer, said the lack of hearing-impaired smoke detectors is a violation of the federal Fair Housing Amendments Act.

Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 166 also stepped in yesterday to help the family. The local ordered two plug-in smoke detectors that the Sonnenbergs can take with them if they move from the apartment, said President Angelo Zecca, a South Brunswick patrolman.

The specialty smoke detectors use strobe lights and a high-decibel alarm to alert the hearing-impaired.

Neither Veronica, 27, nor Richard, 31, are employed. They have twins, 2-year-old Roxy and Richard Jr., and a 3-year-old girl, Mindy.

Justina Yetman, 29, a neighbor of the Sonnenbergs with 7- and 3-year-old boys, said the lack of proper smoke detectors for the couple placed not only the family but others at risk.

"This puts the whole building in danger," she said, referring to the six-unit block of apartments.

By Ken Serrano