January 28, 2003

PRESS RELEASE
To: Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer
Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

Fire Damages Cedar Grove Home and Sends One to Hospital

Electric space heater said to be culprit. Child burnt yesterday by heater. Fire Department provides safety tips . . .

An early morning fire heavy damaged a Cedar Grove residence and sent one person to the hospital before firefighters could bring the blaze under control. Firefighters responded to 7129 Wyngate Boulevard at 6:21 a.m. for the report of a house fire. When they arrived, fire crews from the department’s St. Vincent Street and 70^th Street and Despot stations found a brick and veneer home heavily involved in fire and smoke.

An elderly couple was able to escape the home before firefighters arrived. However, resident John Minnis, said to be in his 80's, was treated and transported by fire paramedics to Willis Knighton Medical Center for minor burns and smoke inhalation. Firefighters brought the fire under control at 6:39 a.m. Investigators have determined the fire started from an electric space heater placed to close to combustible materials in a back bedroom of the home. Fire Investigators said the heater was placed six to eight inches from a bed on one side and a bookcase on the other. Minnis told investigators that he awoke to books in the case on fire.

Additionally, A Shreveport toddler was burnt yesterday afternoon when she was running in a home in the 2700 block of Anna and tripped over a gas powered space heater. Fire paramedics transported the two-year old to LSUSHSC for evaluation of second degree burns to her chest and abdomen.
SPACE HEATER SAFETY TIPS
Check the cord before plugging in the heater; if frayed, worn or broken, do not use it. Either have an electrician replace the cord or replace the heater. Simply putting tape on the cord is not enough to prevent overheating and fire.
Never use an extension cord with a portable heater.
Never remove protective grades or factory covers form heaters.
Keep portable electric heaters away from sinks, tubs and other wet or damp places to avoid deadly electric shocks.
Keep an electric heater, or any portable heater for that matter, at least three feet away from curtains, newspapers or anything that might burn.
Never leave the heater unattended and never leave the house or go to bed without turning off the heater.
Do not hang items to dry above the heater.
Keep all heaters out of high traffic and exit areas. ###