December 9, 2008 - Two with Minor Injuries from Early Morning Fire

Fire at 3009 Desoto Street

The Shreveport Fire Department was dispatched this morning at 6:28 AM to 3009 Desoto Street for a working house fire. Fire Crews arrived within three minutes to find a two-story wood frame home with heavy fire and smoke coming from the second floor. Fire crews had to protect an adjacent home next door to prevent it from damage. The home next door did receive some minor damage from the fire. The fire was extinguished and contained to the second floor and attic of the home resulting in heavy fire and smoke damage to the second floor. The fire was brought under control in 45 minutes.

The home was occupied at the time by 11 family members made up of two adults and nine children of various ages. There were two minor injuries from the blaze. One eight year old female received two small 2^nd degree burns to her right arm and one 17 year old male received a small cut to his right arm. Both were medically treated at the scene. One of the occupants of the home said she found the kitchen on fire and they tried to extinguish it with water but could not. All of the occupants had exited the home prior to fire crews arriving on scene. One firefighter was also injured in the fire receiving a 2^nd degree burn to his left hand.

Shreveport Fire Investigators have confirmed the cause of the fire to be grease that was left cooking on the stove. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), cooking equipment, most often a range or stovetop, is the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. The USFA also recommends the following safety tips when cooking:

Watch What You Heat

• The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you're cooking.
• Stay alert! To prevent cooking fires, you have to be alert. You won't be if you are sleepy, have been drinking alcohol, or have taken medicine that makes you drowsy.

How and When to Fight Cooking Fires

• When in doubt, just get out. When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.
• If you do try to fight the fire, be sure others are already getting out and you have a clear path to the exit.
• Always keep an oven mitt and a lid nearby when you are cooking. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan (make sure you are wearing the oven mitt). Turn off the burner. Do not move the pan. To keep the fire from restarting, leave the lid on until the pan is completely cool.
• In case of an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you or your clothing.
• If you have a fire in your microwave oven, turn it off immediately and keep the door closed. Never open the door until the fire is completely out. Unplug the appliance if you can safely reach the outlet.
• After a fire, both ovens and microwaves should be checked and/or serviced before being used again.