November 8, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

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

Overnight Fire Destroys Werner Park House

• Good weather attributed with slowdown in number of fire calls

A fire in South Shreveport’s Werner Park neighborhood destroyed a single story vacant house at 10:47 p.m. last night. Firefighters were dispatched to 3053 Syphon Street and when they arrived found the residence fully involved in flames. As heavy smoke poured through the neighborhood, firefighters aggressively attacked the blaze with several water lines from different engine companies.

The home was recently vacated but still contained various contents of the previous occupant. Fire crews were able to bring the blaze under at 11:03 p.m. The fire appears to have started in a back bedroom of the residence, where investigators believe someone intentionally set a pile of clothes on fire. It is being investigated as an arson. Officials listed the damage to the structure as heavy.

The fire marks the first such event in several days for the fire department who attribute the slowdown in fire calls to the unseasonable warm weather. As temperatures begin to work their way back down the fire department anticipates the number of fire calls to once agin escalate as homeowners crank up furnaces and fireplaces and the homeless seek shelter inside of vacant structures. ###