October 2, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

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

Shreveport Man Dies in Overnight Fire

A Shreveport man died in an apartment fire last night behind the residence at 7102 Louise Street in South Shreveport. The fire was called in at 11:12 p.m. by the owner of the home, Lounell McDaniel, after she said she went to let her dog in the back door and noticed flames and smoke coming from the makeshift apartment in the back yard. When firefighters arrived, the entire structure was engulfed in flames.

Rescue workers fought flames and heavy smoke to enter through the back of the apartment, where they found the victim’s body close to the door. The fire was listed as under control at 11:26 p.m. Upon inspection, it appears that the man was aware of the fire and was making an aggressive attempt to escape through the rear door when he was overcome. Fire investigators believe that the fire came between the 56-year-old male victim and his normal entrance and exit to the apartment, forcing him to the alternative door, which was wired shut. The windows on the residence were also cased with welded metal burglar bars, making an escape through them almost impossible.

Damage to the structure was listed as heavy. Fire investigators are looking into several areas that may have led to the fire, including the use of romex electrical wiring (an inappropriate and unapproved electric source for an extension cord) from an adjacent home on Elsie Street into the apartment. Official results may take days, as a coroner’s report is pending. Additionally, the home also had no visible smoke detector. ###