The State Fire Marshal’s Office said home fires have killed 15 people in the month of January. It’s the deadliest month the state has experienced in five years. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says 2018 was the last time the state had that many and average temperatures were below normal.
“And between the past couple of years, there might have been five, three, seven. So, we’re talking 15 lives in one month. We really need Louisiana residents to step up their awareness in their homes,” said Rodrigue.
Two more lives were taken over the weekend. Early Saturday morning, the Bastrop Fire Department responded to a house fire where a 58-year-old man was found dead in a bedroom. She says excessive use of extension cords was a factor.
“And then of course the potential for heating-related factors because there were space heaters in the vicinity of the origin,” said Rodrigue.
And Saturday afternoon firefighters responded to an RV fire in New Iberia. Rodrigue says first responders located the body of a 50-year-old woman in the bedroom.
“Deputies were able to determine that the heating device was placed too close to the bedding, in addition, that particular heating device was plugged into an extension cord which was plugged into a power strip which was completely utilized, every outlet,” said Rodrigue.
Rodrigue said in both incidents a working smoke detector was not located. She urges you to practice space heater safety and if you need a smoke detector to contact visit Operation Save a Life at the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office website click here.
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