December 9, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

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

Occupants Flee Early Morning Arson Fire

Three Shreveporters had to flee their residence this morning just after midnight after someone intentionally set their Queensborough home on fire.

Firefighters were called to the home at 3627 Sumner at 12:12 a.m. and when they arrived they found the back of the structure engulfed in flames and smoke. Officials said the fire was mainly confined to the back porch, a storage room that led into the main house, and attic areas. The blaze was listed as under control at 12:30 a.m.

The three residents were all at home at the time of the fire but woke up and were able to escape without injury. Fire investigators believe the fire was intentionally set. Mark, the department’s accelerant K-9 was brought to help investigators and "alerted" on several areas in and around the fire. Mark’s alerts assert that a petroleum product was present at the time of the fire, further solidifying a case of arson.

The damage to the home’s structure was listed as light, while the contents sustained moderated damage. The kitchen of the home also sustained some heat damage from the blaze. Anyone with information about this or any other fire believed to be a criminal act are asked to call the Shreveport Fire Department’s Arson Division at 673-6740. Charges against those responsible for last night’s fire will be Aggravated Arson, a felony, as there was intent to render harm to person and/or persons by the act. ###