Louisiana State Fire Marshal Urging Public to Increase Fire Safety Awareness and Prevention Efforts After 3 Deaths in 26 Hours

Louisiana - On December 20, 2022, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office (LASFM) announced that three individuals perished in residential fires over the course of 26 hours. As deputies continue to investigate multiple tragic home fires around the state in a single day, LASFM is asking the public to enhance fire safety awareness and prevention efforts.

“It’s cold outside and we know cold temperatures go hand-in-hand with fire tragedies,” said State Fire Marshal Dan Wallis, “But we haven’t even seen the harshest temperatures yet. That’s why I’m very concerned and urging families to be aware of the fire hazards in their homes and in the homes of those they love.”

The first fire happened on December 18 in the Gentilly area of New Orleans. The New Orleans Fire Department was dispatched to the 2900 block of Serantine Street at 7:15 p.m. for a report of a house fire. Firefighters discovered a female homeowner was still inside despite her attempts to escape through security bars and neighbors' efforts to assist her. The 73-year-old was subsequently discovered by firefighters near the front door. As the residence had been without utilities for several years, deputies were unable to rule out the usage of temporary, canned heat sources as a possible cause after assessing the site.

The second incident was reported around 4:30 p.m. on Monday, December 19 in the 6800 block of Highway 8 in Leesville to the Slagle Volunteer Fire Department. At the front door, firefighters discovered the body of a lone 83-year-old female occupant. Upon assessing the situation, LASFM deputies established the fire began in the living room of the residence, where it is thought the victim was sleeping at the time. The deputies have been unable to rule out the possibility of a holiday-related electrical fault as a probable cause. This residence had a smoke alarm, but it was inoperable during the fire.

A disabled man in his forties was located on the 300 block of Arizona Street in Ruston, Louisiana, just before 10 p.m. on Monday, December 19. Currently, deputies are actively investigating this matter.

“These deaths are all devastating, especially because, of what we know, they were all likely preventable,” said Wallis, “Please, stop what you are doing now and look around your home. Do you have a working smoke alarm? Are there hazards in your home that can lead to fire danger? Head to your elderly neighbor or relative’s home and do the same check. Following our simple safety steps can and will save lives.”

These are the primary safety messages:

• 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 or ovens to heat homes
• Don’t overfill fireplaces/wood-burning stoves
• Do not leave candles/open flames (or space heaters) left unattended
• Keep holiday decorations 3-5 feet from heat sources and be mindful of not only the quality of their wires, but how many decorations are plugged into one power source
• Have working smoke alarms in your home!

These deaths raise the total number of fire fatalities in our state to 75 with more than 10 days remaining in the year. In all but a few of these situations, no functional smoke detectors were located.
Smoke alarms save lives, which is why Operation Save-A-Life partners with local fire departments to install FREE smoke alarms in the homes of families most in need.

Visit lasfm.org to learn more about Operation Save-A-Life or to register for a free smoke alarm.