The State Fire Marshall is investigating a fatal brush fire that resulted in the discovery of a man’s body in Alexandria on Monday. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry crews were called in to assist due to the size of the brush fire.
“As those two crews were working to put the fire out both in the field where they believe it began as well as the forest it had spread to firefighters unfortunately came across the body of a man in the field.”
The fire was reported in the 6100 block of LA 488. Rodrigue says the victim is believed to be the 60-year-old homeowner.
“Interviews that they’ve been able to conduct so far do indicate as well as evidence in the area that the man was burning old hay bales and at this time of course they have not been able to figure out what exactly went wrong.”
Rodrigue says investigators are still working to identify the victim’s cause of death. She says the tragedy serves as an important reminder for Louisianans who are still following the state’s burn ban.
“Even a small flame can get away and then it becomes out of control and if you try to put it out yourself, you may end up in a situation like an unfortunate death like we’re talking about here.”
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