February 24, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

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

Two Injured in House Fire

Shreveport firefighters responded to a house fire last night at 3048 Syphon Street. When crews arrived, they found smoke pouring from the back of the residence. Home owner Howard Rome, 70, and residents Edward Sewell, 40, and Sherry Vasquez, 45, were all able to escape before fire crews arrived. Sewell and Vasquez however, were treated by department paramedics for smoke inhalation and burn injuries. They were both transported to Willis Knighton Medical Center. Rome avoided injury.

Fire officials received the call reporting the fire at 4:47. Once on the scene firefighters from the department’s State Fair Grounds station led by Captain Scotty Hammond were able to make an aggressive interior attack on the fire and bring it under control at 5:05 a.m. The origin of the fire was said to be a back bedroom. Fire investigators have not released an official finding but believe the fire was started by an unattended cigarette.

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