Nine people have died from six home fires in north Louisiana this month. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says most of the fatalities followed a similar pattern.
“Number one, we are not finding smoke alarms. We’re finding situations where there is common cause between these fires, whether they be electrical problems in the home or the use of space heaters being used unsafely,” says Browning.
The fatal fires have struck Wisner, Haughton, Shreveport, Coushatta, Cullen, and Benton.
Two of the fatalities were the result of people running back into their homes after they had already escaped. Browning says if you’re lucky enough to get out, stay out because it only takes 60 seconds from first flame for the air to knock you unconscious in one breath.
“Just because you don’t see fire coming out the windows of a home, if you see smoke, that smoke is what kills most people,” says Browning.
45-year-old Christy Parker died Christmas Eve in Benton after running back into her home to save her chihuahua.
Browning says it’s important to note that these fatal fires have been disproportionately impacting some of society’s most vulnerable.
“All but three of these deaths were individuals over the age of 65, so this is really a time to reach out to our neighbors and relatives, the elderly people in our community,” says Browning.
If you need help purchasing a smoke alarm, visit lasfm.org.
