State Fire Marshal (SFM) deputies continue their investigation into a weekend house fire that claimed the life of an elderly Shreveport man.
Around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 3, the Shreveport Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire located in the 8900 block of Melanie Drive. Firefighters learned there were three occupants in the home at the time of the fire; an adult man and his elderly parents.
The man reported waking in the middle of the night to a very dark house and realizing the power was out when he tried to turn on a light. After attempting to check in with his parents, and being unable to due to their bedroom door being locked, he went outside to try a door that accessed their bedroom from the patio. Once outside, however, he saw fire coming from the roof above his parents’ bedroom and could hear his mother yelling from inside. The woman, 79, was burned while pulling her wheelchair-bound husband to the home’s front door, but tragically, he did not survive. The female victim was hospitalized for her injuries and her status is unknown at this time.
While official identification and cause of death are pending with the coroner’s office, the victim is believed to be the 84-year-old homeowner.
Following an assessment of the scene and considering witness statements, deputies have determined the fire began in the attic above the couple’s bedroom. At this time, the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined but it is believed to be electrical.
This home did have working smoke alarms, but unfortunately, with the fire and smoke starting above the alarms, they were unable to alert the occupants in time to get out safely.
The SFM wants to stress the importance of having a planned and practiced home escape route. This plan should include knowing two ways out of every room in your home in the event of a fire emergency. It should also include special efforts to address any additional needs any residents of the home have including a disability or if children are living in the home. This route should be practiced once a month and should conclude with all occupants meeting at a safe gathering location outside where first responders can be called for help.