February 11, 2004

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

Shreveport Woman Dies In Morning House Fire

Investigators believe child playing with space heater started deadly blaze . . .

Shreveport fire investigators believe that a three-year-old playing with a gas powered space heater caused a fire that claimed the life of a Shreveport woman early this morning in the Martin Luther King neighborhood. Josephine Knox Williams, 88, died in the blaze that completely destroyed the home at 1744 Russell Road. The first report of the fire came into 911 operators at 2:43 a.m. Investigators believe the fire started when the three-year-old placed some paper into a space heater located in their bedroom. An 11-year-old child, in the same room, alerted the rest of the house of the fire when she noticed the three-year-old covered in soot.

According to resident Johnny Banks, 31, the fire was spreading up the wall of the children’s room when he entered to investigate a smell of smoke in the home. When firefighters arrived on the scene, the 11, 3, and another 3-year-old child and Banks were able to escape the quickly spreading fire without injury. Resident Demetri Simpson, 24, was treated and transported by paramedics to Willis Knighton Medical Center for smoke inhalation. Her condition was listed as stable.

Prior to the fire departments arrival, several individuals, including Shreveport Police officers tried unsuccessfully to enter the home and rescue Williams. The thick smoke and heavy flames were simple too intense. When firefighters arrived, they quickly entered the residence with an aggressive rescue and fire attack plan. However, when they reached Williams, she had already succumbed to the fire.

According to family members, Williams was not able to ambulate without assistance. This may have hindered her ability to escape the deadly fire. The home appears to have had no working smoke detectors. The Shreveport Fire Department highly discourages the practice of using of any type of space heater in a child’s room, without adult supervision. Smoke detectors, and their installation, are available through the Fire Department by calling 673-6740. ###