64-Year-Old Disabled Louisiana Man Killed in Late Night Fire Possibly Caused by Electrical Malfunction

Washington, Louisiana - The Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office reported on January 20, 2023, that deputies are still investigating a house fire in Washington, Louisiana that killed a male resident.

On Wednesday, January 18, just before 11 a.m., St. Landry Fire District #3 responded to a report of a house fire in the 600 block of Pointe Verde in Washington. Unfortunately, firefighters later discovered a male victim in a bedroom that was being used for storage.

While the victim's identity and cause of death are unknown pending an autopsy by the St. Landry Parish Coroner's Office, the victim is believed to be the home's 64-year-old disabled tenant.
Following an investigation, LASFM deputies determined that the fire started in the living room/kitchen area of the home, which was located on the opposite end of the home from where the victim was.

The home being nearly 100 years old, as well as the quality of the home due to its age, has made determining an official cause of this fire difficult. However, deputies have been unable to rule out the possibility of an electrical malfunction as a contributing factor.

So far in 2023, half of the fatal fires investigated by deputies have involved disabled victims, and all of the fatal fires have occurred in structures that lack working smoke alarms.
The LASFM is asking Louisianans who know relatives, loved ones, or even neighbors who are disabled to reach out to those people and offer assistance in developing an escape plan that is appropriate for that person's needs. This plan should include not only knowing two exits from each room but also ensuring that those exits are accessible and operational. Local fire departments can also help assess a home for potential fire hazards and devise a specialized escape plan.

Working smoke alarms, which have been proven to be the difference between life and death in a fire emergency, are an important part of that fire emergency preparation. The LASFM's Operation Save-A-Life program collaborates with local fire departments to provide free smoke alarm installation to families in need. Visit lasfm.org to learn more about the program and to register for a smoke alarm. You can also request a smoke alarm installation from your local fire department.