April 1, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

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

Burglar Bars Trap Child at House Fire

Nine-year-old Charles Scroggins screamed for help from inside of his burning home while family members tried desperately to locate him at a house fire this morning in the Allendale neighborhood of Shreveport. Unable to find Scroggins on the inside, Terry Hayes, 31, the home’s other six children, and Hayes’ mother, Betty Randall, 64, were forced outside of the residence by intense smoke and flames. Once outside, Hayes heard Scroggins screaming from a bathroom. The nine-year-old was trying to escape through the room’s window but could not get through the home’s burglar bars. Hayes was able to force the bars off of the window and pull the child to safety but not before the nine-year-old suffered burns and smoke inhalation.

When firefighters arrived at 1932 Wynstock Street at 8:10 a.m., the home was totally involved in flames. Crews had gotten reports from 911 communications dispatchers that the residence was occupied and had children inside. With this thought, the last thing firefighters wanted to see was the home draped in burglar bars. Thankfully, officials were able to determine that all occupants, including the home’s children, ranging from five to thirteen years-of-age, were all out and accounted for. Incident Commander, District Chief Luther Sharbono called in extra fire companies for manpower to fight the blaze. The fire was listed as under control at 8:51 a.m. A medic unit with department paramedics was also dispatched to the scene and upon arrival immediately began treating Scroggins for his injuries. He was transported to the LSU Medical Center Burn Treatment Center for burn to his face, upper body, and hands.

Most of the single story, wood frame structure was destroyed by the intense fire. Investigators will not have an official finding of the fire’s cause until early in the week, but the fire appears to have started in the front living room of the home where several of the children were sleeping. Burglar bars, used for protection and security purposes, often present barriers for families, particularly children, when trying to escape house fires. They also present a safety concern for firefighters. Bars that the fire department considers safe can be easily opened from the inside and have quick release mechanisms. Those bars not safe require a key, special knowledge, a special tool, or extra physical effort. ###