April 24, 2003

PRESS RELEASE
To: Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Asst. to the Fire Chief
Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2411, page: 675-2137

Suspected Arson Fire Destroys Highland Home . . . again

A spectacular fire that lit up the peaceful sky in Shreveport’s historic Highland destroyed a vacant home overnight in the 300 block of Wilkinson . . .

The fire, which is being listed as probable arson by fire investigators, was the second to the home this year. The first occurred on January 6 when the home was occupied. No injuries were reported during that incident that caused moderate damage to the residence. Last night’s blaze took fire crews more than an hour to bring under control and finished off what was left of the home after the first fire.

Fire Communications Officers at Caddo Parish 911 received the first of many panicked neighbors’ calls at 10:19 p.m. reporting the fire. Some reported that they heard what sounded like an explosion that shook their homes. When the first firefighters from nearby Fire Station 7, located in the 700 block of Wilkinson, arrived on the scene minutes after the first call, the entire structure was already rolling in heavy smoke and flames.

Firefighters initially fought to keep the massive fire from spreading to two adjacent occupied structures. The fire was threatening and had already begun to cause damage to the homes on both sides of the main fire when firefighters were able to place water curtains (supply of water through hose line, dispersed to resemble a curtain of water) on both to stop any possible fire spread. As the entire structure was involved and known to be vacant, the attack to the main fire was defensive (from the outside), and included more than 20 firefighters.

Firefighters reported being able to smell a petroleum-based product around the home and fire investigators will bring in Mark, the accelerant sniffing K-9, in today to evaluate the scene. No injuries were reported. The fire department is asking anyone with information on last nights fire to contact their Arson Investigations Office at 673-6740. The information can be anonymous. ###