OUACHITA PARISH- State Fire Marshal (SFM) deputies, in collaboration with the West Monroe Fire Department, have concluded their investigation into a house fire in West Monroe that claimed the life of a female resident.
Just before 11 p.m. on Monday, March 13, the West Monroe Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire located in the 600 block of Wood Street. When firefighters arrived, they located an injured female outside who told them her grandmother was still inside. Firefighters rescued the 84-year-old woman from an upstairs bathroom. She was then transported to a local hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, she died hours later.
At this time, deputies have determined the fire began in the home’s sunroom in the area where a window unit was located. The cause of the fire has been determined as an electrical malfunction.
Deputies were able to confirm this home had working smoke alarms at the time of this fire that alerted the homeowner to the danger. Deputies learned the homeowner was able to warn her granddaughter about the fire, who escaped by jumping from the second story of the home. It is unknown why the homeowner was then unable to make it out of the home as well.
The SFM would like to remind residents that while it is critical to have a working smoke alarm in your home, it is equally important to have a practiced escape plan that includes knowing two ways out of every room in your home and having a safe location for everyone to meet to call 911.
In addition, we’d like to also stress to “Get Out, Stay Out.” Once a fire danger is known, escape immediately. Do not try to put the fire out, save belongings, or go back inside for any reason.
