801 Crockett Street, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101
318/ 673-6655 ● FAX: 318/ 673-6656 ● www.shreveportfire.org

Kelvin J. Cochran, Fire Chief

April 18, 2002

PRESS RELEASE
To: Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer
Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

Firefighters Battle Multiple Overnight Fire

Shreveport firefighters were busy last nigh with not only the Centenary College fire, which investigators have attributed to lightning (see earlier press release), but they also were called to the following:

122 Otto Lane: Lightning is also being blamed for a fire at 122 Otto Lane. Firefighters were called to the Kings Crossing residence at 1:16 a.m. after the owners smelled and saw smoke coming from an air duct. When fire crews arrived, smoke and flames were coming from one side of the south-east Shreveport home. All of the occupants were able to make it out safely before firefighters arrived. Once on the scene, fire crews were able to bring the fire under control at 1:39 a.m. No injuries were reported. Fire investigators have said that lightning struck the home through a gable end and traveled along the flexible, metal wrapped, duct air system.

4207 Lakeshore Drive, Country Club Apartments: A fire that started in a bedroom of a downstairs apartment kept firefighters busy this morning. The fire was called in at 2:12 a.m. to fire communications officers at Caddo Parish 911. Firefighters went through the front door of apartment 102 to find the fire in the back bedroom. They were able to limit the damage to the lone room and had the fire under control at 2:30a.m. The home was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The occupants in adjacent apartments were evacuated by fire officials as a precaution. No injuries were reported. The fire in under investigation.

4302 North Market, Northwood lake Apartments: When firefighters pulled up to the Northwood Lake Apartments at 2:57 a.m., heavy smoke was pouring from apartment #319. Fire crews found fire consuming the kitchen of the apartment when they entered the residence. Officials listed the fire under control at 3:20 a.m. All of the occupants were able to escape prior to the department’s arrival. Fire investigators are calling the fire accidental and said that grease left on the stove was the culprit. Fire and smoke damage estimates were listed at $3,000 to $4,000. No injuries were reported. ###