November 14, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

Candle Said to Be Culprit of Late Night Apartment Fire

Fire investigators have determined that a candle left burning in a north Shreveport apartment complex started a fire there last night that heavily damaged one apartment.

Shreveport Fire Communications Officers at 911 received the first call reporting the fire at the North Side Villa Apartments, 4585 North Market, at 11:52 p.m. By the time firefighters arrived, they found two sides of apartment 1110 billowing black smoke and flames. Firefighters were able to quickly bring the fire under control by 12:13 a.m.

Fire officials said a woman and her small child were sleeping in the bedroom of the apartment when the fire broke out. A candle left burning caught a lamp shade and/or phone on a nearby night stand in the bedroom on fire. Fortunately, the woman was awakened by the fire and after a futile attempt to extinguish it, was able to escape with her son unharmed. The apartment had no electric or gas utilities connected. Investigators have listed the official cause of the fire as accidental. ###