April 1, 2009 - Suspected Arsonist Torches Vacant Downtown Building

Approximately 40 firefighters called to the scene

Shreveport-Shortly before 1:00 p.m., the Shreveport Fire Department was dispatched to a building fire located at 900 Louisiana Avenue in downtown Shreveport. After receiving the emergency 9-1-1 call, firefighters arrived on scene in 3 minutes to find heavy black smoke billowing from the front door and the windows of the vacant building. Approximately 40 firefighters -- nine fire crews -- were called to the scene, and extinguished the fire in less than 15 minutes. Fire Investigator Chris Robinson determined that “this fire was started by an arsonist.”

The suspected arsonist used debris and discarded trash to intentionally set this vacant building on fire. Since the electricity and natural gas services had been disconnected from the building the possibility of an accidental fire source was ruled out by investigators. Neighbors from the Jefferson Apartments reported seeing two men leaving the building shortly before discovering the fire; these men are considered ‘persons of interest’.

"This investigation is ongoing, and we currently seeking these individuals,” Robinson said. Anyone with information about this fire should contact the Shreveport Fire Department’s ARSON HOTLINE at 673-6709.