PRESS RELEASE

To: NEWSROOM

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Assistant To The Fire Chief

May 7, 2005 - Shreveport Woman Dies in Early Morning House Fire

A Shreveport woman died as a result of a roaring house fire in the Allendale neighborhood of Shreveport early Saturday morning - two other family members hospitalized with injuries . .

Shreveport firefighters were called to 139 Allen Avenue at 12:44 a.m. by neighbors who reported the single story, wood framed structure on fire with people inside. When fire crews arrived on the scene they found heavy smoke and flames pouring out of the front of the residence and lapping over the porch and onto the roof. Four of the home’s five occupants were able to escape with the help of neighbors. The deceased, Wilma Bruton, 45, was found by firefighters, who made an aggressive fire and rescue effort, in a front bedroom of the home. Bruton was found facedown on a bed and pronounced dead at the scene. Two other occupants, Eric Bruton, 14, and Jamorria Bruton, 5, were treated for burn and smoke inhalation injuries and were treated and transported to LSUHSC by fire department paramedics. Their injuries were not considered life threatening

Resident Lacole Ball, 20, said that she was sleeping in a back bedroom when she was awaked by neighbors beating on the outside windows and walls of the home. Ball, unable to escape through the home because of the fire, grabbed her one year old daughter, Shamaricy Bruton, and broke out a window to escape. Neighbors took the infant first and then Ball jumped to safety. Fire investigators believe that the origin of the fire was a front living room, adjacent to the bedroom of the deceased. At this hour, they are still looking into a cause.

The fire death is the first for Shreveport this year. In 2004 there were three deaths related to residential fires, all coming in the first four months of that year. Shreveport has averaged 3.5 fire deaths a year over the last five years and continues to stress the importance of fire education and smoke detectors in homes – the Allen Avenue home was reported to have no smoke detectors. Fire officials are praising neighbors Raymond Young, Oliver Love, Larry Jefferson, and Ronnie Morris for their quick action on alerting the family of the fire and assisting in their escape. “Without question, had it not been for the quick and unselfish actions of the neighbors, tonight’s tragedy could have easily resulted in an even greater loss of life - these men are to be commended,” ###