DATE:

PRESS RELEASE

To: NEWSROOM

For Immediate Release

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

July 5, 2005 - 12-Year Old Believed to Have Started Fireworks Fire

Shreveport Fire investigators now believe a 12-year old family member started a fire that partially destroyed a home on College Street over the July 4 holiday weekend . . .

Fire officials believe the child, who lived at the residence, threw an “artillery shell” firework through a broken and boarded window of the single-story wood framed home setting the living room and soon after the entire front of the structure ablaze.

An “artillery shell” is a round ball explosive with a fuse that is to be placed into a long cylinder and they shot out. If not use properly or detonated in a safe and secure area the consequences can be serious as seen by the outcome of this event. The fire department continues to remind parents that children should never be allowed to posses and ignite fireworks without close adult supervision. Investigators will refer the case to the District Attorney’s office to determine if any charges will be filed against the youth.

In two other fire related cases involving fireworks, this morning, Monday, July 5, around 10:30 a.m., fire investigators were called to an incident where someone placed a sparkler into a mailbox that was attached to the residence in the 300 block of North Wyckford. The sparkler set the mailbox of fire and damaged a portion of the vinyl siding on the home surrounding the mail box.

The other case involving fireworks was in the 10,000 block of Alondra this morning where a car that had its back window blown out – apparently by a firework. Investigators are trying to determine the time of the incident because it was noticed by the owner until he was leaving for work this morning. Anyone with information on these last to cases is asked to contact the Shreveport Fire Departments Fire Prevention offices at 673-6740. ###