January 21, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

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

Woman Injured - Saves Children From Morning House Fire

An early morning house fire that ripped through a Queensborough area home could have resulted in a catastrophe for the family at 2918 Ashton Street had it not been for the quick actions of 22-year-old Sharonda Green in rescuing her five children. Fire officials are crediting Green for getting herself and children, ages 9, 7, 6, and a pair of 1-year-olds , out through a back window of the residence after encountering flames and smoke blocking the front and side door exits.

When Green and the children first reached the window used for the escape, it was initially blocked by an air-conditioning unit. Green said she knew that it was their last resort and only way out. As the fire and deadly smoke began approaching the room, she lifted and shoved on the unit several times before it finally gave way. Minutes later, coughing and catching their breaths, all were safely outside. As they looked back, the room was now full of smoke. Another occupant, Famora Gilliam, escaping earlier through a side door, aided in the rescue of the others from the back of the house.

Shreveport police were the first to see the fire and made the initial call to their 911 operators reporting the blaze at 4:12 a.m. As fire crews from the fire department’s Milam Street and Fairground Station converged on the single story, wood frame structure, flames shot from the front and sides of the home. After firefighters made a quick determination that everyone was out of the house they began a full attack, bringing the fire under control at 4:34.

Green and 7-year-old Reginald Russell were treated by fire department paramedics at the scene for cuts and lacerations sustained during the escape. No firefighters were injured and no one was transported to the hospital.

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