January 3, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

Space Heater Causes Illinois Street Fire

An unattended operating space heater placed to close to a couch is being blamed for a fire that destroyed a Mooretown neighborhood home this morning. Shreveport firefighters were called by neighbors to 4352 Illinois Street at 11:34 a.m. for the report of a house on fire. When they arrived, they found flames and heavy smoke pouring from one side of the structure. Engine Company #14 from the department’s Greenwood Road and Broadway Avenue station was the first on the scene and immediately called for a quick search and fire attack plan.

As other fire companies arrived and assisted with the search and suppression efforts, firefighters inside the residence fought extreme temperatures in battling the blaze. Fifteen minutes later, fire officials listed the fire as under control (11:51 a.m.). Search efforts of the home produced nothing - it was later learned that the occupant was away at the doctor’s office at the time of the fire.

Fire damage to the home was heavy, primarily confined to the front den and dining room, but smoke damage ran throughout the structure. Fire investigators have listed the cause of the fire as combustibles placed to close to an operating space heater. No civilians or firefighters were reported injured.

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