Elderly Louisiana Man Dies in House Fire Caused by Burning Books and Branches to Keep Warm

West Monroe, Louisiana – An 80-year-old man in West Monroe, Louisiana died on December 28 after suffering injuries in a house fire on Christmas night. The fire is believed to have started when the victim was burning books and branches inside metal containers in the living room for heat. 

The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office (LASFM) reported that a West Monroe, Louisiana man has succumbed to injuries he suffered in a house fire on Christmas night.

Just after 10 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 25, the Ouachita Parish Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire located in the 100 block of Lilac Street in West Monroe. Upon arrival, firefighters located an unresponsive man near the back door of the home. The victim, the 80-year-old homeowner, was transported to an area hospital for treatment, but, unfortunately, died days later on Dec. 28.

After an assessment of the scene and collecting witness statements, LASFM deputies determined the victim had been burning books and branches inside metal containers in the living room as a heat source due to the home not having utilities connected. The investigation into how that fire spread beyond the containers and got out of control is still under investigation.

This is another sad loss of life that highlights the safe home heating tips the LASFM has been sharing with the public since before last weekend’s frigid weather. In addition to advising not to create any type of burn pile, contained or otherwise, inside of a home, those tips include:

• Place space heaters 3-5 feet from combustible objects like blankets and curtains
• Plug all heating appliances directly into wall outlets, not power strips or extension cords
• Do not use stoves, ovens, or grills to heat homes
• Don’t overfill fireplaces/wood-burning stoves
• Do not leave candles/open flames (or space heaters) left unattended