Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

I believe all homeowners and apartment tenants (and landlords?) are required by law to have working smoke/CO detectors in their homes.

I sometimes read of a fire that occurred in a residence where there was not a working detector, resulting in loss of life and property damage to adjacent residences.

In such cases I have never read of legal action being taken against the unprotected home owner/tenant.

Are they subject to prosecution? Are such prosecutions performed?