Firefighters say four people were killed in an overnight house fire in Slidell’s Eden Isles subdivision. The fire was first reported around 1:30 in the morning and extinguished around 6 AM. Slidell Fire Chief Chris Kaufmann.
“Just a tragic, tragic morning. My message today is… hugs your kids because two of the victims were children,” said Kaufmann.
Three victims were found on the second floor of the home and the fourth on the first floor. One was pronounced dead on the scene and the other three at a local hospital.
Neighbors reportedly heard two loud explosions which woke them to see the house engulfed in flames. It was neighbors that call 9-1-1 and Kauffmann said the explosion was from two propane tanks on the back porch.
Kaufmann said they found a smoke detector that was not functioning in the home and reinforced the message that smoke detectors are critical in warning people to get out of a building in time.
“This is another example, let’s not let these lives pass in vain, let’s use this incident today to educate our public on how important a smoke detector is, they save lives,” said Kaufmann.
Several agencies are investigating the blaze and Kauffmann said it’s been a difficult and emotional morning for everyone involved.
“It was tough on our firefighters, pulling the victims out, but they did everything they could to give this family a chance and we realize now after doing the scene investigation we do think and have made a decision it’s an accidental fire,” said Kaufmann.
The victims have been identified as 33-year old Phoenix Lousteau, her husband 40-year-old Stephen Lousteau, and their daughters, Mackenzie age 10, and Payton age five. The blaze remains under investigation.
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