January 25, 2009 - Elderly Man Saved by Neighbor in Early Morning House Fire

Man rescued by neighbor

The Shreveport Fire Department was dispatched this morning at 4:17 AM to 3218 Sidney Street for a possible house fire. Crews from Fire Station #6 on David Raines Road arrived on scene within five minutes to find a one story wood frame home with smoke and flames visible from the rear and the roof of the home. Fire crews from Station #6 knew that the home was occupied by an elderly man confined to a wheelchair based on a public service call there the day before. The crew immediately entered the home with fire attack hose lines searching the home and initially knocking down the fire that was showing. The fire was put under control at 4:39 AM.

The occupant, 84 year old Lonnie Brooks, Sr., was woke up by the smell of smoke. Mr. Brooks neighbor, Rodney Jerry, from 3221 Sidney Street, entered the home while it was on fire and assisted Mr. Brooks into his wheelchair and rescued him from the home. Mr. Jerry stated, “The whole back of the house and the roof was on fire when I went in and found Mr. Brooks on the bed. I helped him into his wheelchair and got him out of the house.” Mr. Brooks and Mr. Jerry did not suffer any injuries from the incident.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time. Fire Investigator, Rodney Murray, stated, “fire crews did respond to the address the day before for an outlet that was arcing but it is still unclear if it had anything to do with the fire that happened this morning.