December 30, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

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

Cold Weather Sparks Busy Weekend for Firefighters

Three fires on Sunday - child said to be at fault for one incident

So goes the weather, so goes the firefighter business. The latest cold front to push through the Shreveport area has sparked a rash of weekend fires. At 3:42 a.m. this morning fire crews were called out to Mr. Jim’s Chicken at 2020 Youree Drive for the report of a building fire. When they arrived, they found flames shooting up one side of the wood-frame business’ exterior. When firefighters began battling the fire, they also found that the fire had reached the attic of the structure. The fire was listed as under control by officials at 3:58 a.m. Fire investigators believe that the fire started from a trash can on the outside of the business. "Jack" the accelerant sniffing K-9 was brought in to determine if a petroleum substance had been used to exacerbate the fire but found none. The fire is still under investigation.

Later that morning, just after 10:00 a.m., a fire at 3130 DeSoto Street caused heavy damage to an Ingleside neighborhood home. Rhonda Thomas, 32, told fire officials that she was awoken by her 3-year-old who told her "The house was on fire." Thomas and six other people in the residence were able to escape without injury before firefighters arrived. Fire crews fought through heavy smoke and flames pouring from the home to bring the fire under control at 10:31 a.m. Investigators believe that the fire started when a 5-year-old placed a piece of paper into an electric space heater used in one of the home’s bedrooms and then laid it in or near a closet. Damage was heavy and estimated at $25,000.

In the afternoon, firefighters were once again summoned out, this time to 2800 Poland for a house fire that investigators believe started from a space heater in the home. A 911 call came from a passing motorist reported the fire to 911 at 2:47p.m. When firefighters from the nearby Milam Street station arrived, the found heavy smoke billowing from windows and the home’s roof line. The residence was inhabitated, although no one was at home at the time of the fire. Fire investigators are listing the fire that caused heavy damage to the small, wood frame home, as suspicious. No injuries were reported.

This time of year, from December to March is traditionally the Shreveport Fire Departments busiest time when it comes to fighting residential and commercial fires. For a number of reasons there is always an increase in fires in and around the home this time of year. The most obvious are heat sources that are not prevalent in the warmer months: here are a few safety tips:

• Residence should be careful when using electric, open-flame gas or kerosene space heaters to not place any combustibles to close to the heat source.

• Do not run cords for heaters under any material, such as a rug. The cords heat up when in use and can start a fire.

• Children should never be left alone in a room with an open flame of any type.

• All homes should have working smoke detectors and those with gas heat should have a Carbon Monoxide detector. Smoke detectors are free by calling SFD Fire Prevention at 673-6740

###