February 25, 2003

PRESS RELEASE
To: Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Asst. to the Fire Chief
Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

Woman Injured in Morning House Fire

Space heater listed as cause but smoke alarm credited with saving lives . . .

A Shreveport woman was injured this morning during a house fire that ravaged her Mooretown home. Firefighters were called out to a reported house fire at 4706 Kennedy Drive this morning just before 7:30 a.m. When they arrived, the home was already heavily involved in smoke and flames. Homeowner, Mattie Davis, 67, was injured in the blaze after she tripped in the kitchen while trying to retrieve water to fight the fire. She was treated and transported to LSUSHSC by department paramedics for a broken arm and minor burns. She is currently listed in good condition.

Davis told fire investigators that she was awoke by the home’s smoke detector going off and found the foot of her bed on fire. Investigators believe an electric space heater placed too close to bedding was the cause of the fire. After falling and sustaining her injury, Davis got off the floor in time to rescue her 52 year-old wheelchair bound son and get them both to safety. It took firefighters just over 15 minutes to bring the fire under control.

The fire damage to the single story brick residence was heavy and listed by officials around $30,000. The smoke detector is being credited with saving the occupants lives but Davis was also commended by fire officials for her actions under duress and injury. ###