October 25, 2008 - Fire Damages Queensborough Home minutes after Occupant leaves for work

Fire Extinguished in Minutes

This morning at 7:24 a.m., the Shreveport Fire Department was dispatched to 2428 Queens Highway to an early morning house fire. Firefighters arrived to find flames coming from windows on the east and west sides of the home. Heavy fire damage occurred to the roof as flames burned through the attic vents which caused a section of the roof to collapse. It took firefighters 16 minutes to extinguish the fire.

No one was home when firefighters arrived on scene. Makiesha Hawkins told fire investigators that she was awakened by her alarm clock at 7:00 am and rushed out of the house for work at 7:10 am. “Thankfully my children were at their grandmothers”, said Hawkins.

According to Battalion Chief D. Richardson, “Three engine crews, a ladder truck, a rescue unit and a medic unit were on scene within minutes to control the fire and to prevent flames from spreading to a nearby hotel.”

“The kitchen and the back bedroom were heavily damaged by the fire. The fire originated in the back bedroom and a cigarette lighter was later discovered near the bed”, said Fire Investigator Rodney Murray. “The home was not serviced with electricity and the use of candles as a source for light could not be eliminated.”