May 11, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

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

Extinguishing System Fails to Operate in Store Fire

Shreveport firefighters were called out this afternoon shortly before 1:00 p.m. for the report of a fire at the Highland Pick and Shop, located at 503 Stoner Avenue. When crews arrived, they found smoke coming from the back of the convience store. Entering the building, they found a deep fryer and an adjacent stove of the business on fire. Firefighters used a carbon dioxide extinguisher to quickly suppress the blaze.

It appears that a heating element used in a deep fryer may have initiated the fire. Store owner John Pistorius was puzzled over the fact that his own chemical extinguishing system, built in over the stove and fryer for just such an emergency, failed to operate. Officials instructed Pistorius to contact the manufacturer of the system to have it evaluated. The system did have a current inspection tag said to be only five months old. Damage was limited to the appliances involved in the fire and the store resumed normal operations after the event. No civilians or firefighters injuries were reported.

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