March 13, 2010 - Shreveport’s First Responders Transport Elderly Female from Fire Scene

A 70-year-old sustained minor back injuries while escaping West Shreveport House Fire

This afternoon at 2:51 p.m., the Shreveport Fire Department was dispatched to a house fire in the 6900 block of Walnut Hill Drive in West Shreveport. When Engine 12 arrived at 2:55 p.m., they reported the home was fully engulfed with flames extending 20 feet above the roof. Because of gusty winds, flames spread onto a nearby parked car and the neighbor’s home causing considerable damage to both.

Medic units transported the 70-year old female to Schumpert Medical Center after complaining of back injuries sustained after trying to escape the fire through the bedroom window; officials report that her injuries were non-life threatening.

It took 6 units—16 firefighters-- to extinguish and control the fire in 42 minutes.

A male occupant admitted to fire investigators that shortly before the fire was reported, he had smoked cigarettes in a recliner in the den. Fire investigators have determined the fire originated in the den in the vicinity of a recliner and sofa. Fire officials estimate more than 50 percent of the home was damaged; the occupants will stay with relatives until housing arrangements can be made.