Avoyelles, LA (2/15/2024) – Following a tragic incident in Simmesport, Louisiana, State Fire Marshal Chief Bryan J. Adams is stressing the critical importance of functional smoke alarms in every household. The call for action comes after a devastating house fire claimed the lives of a woman and a teenager.
Responding to an emergency call around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 11, the Simmesport Volunteer Fire Department rushed to a residence in the 600 block of Railroad Avenue engulfed in flames. Regrettably, responders discovered the bodies of two victims, each found in separate bedrooms.
While formal identifications and causes of death await confirmation from the parish Coroner’s Office, authorities suspect the victims to be the 60-year-old female homeowner and a 16-year-old female resident. The investigation into the incident’s origin and cause is ongoing due to the extensive damage incurred.
Of significant concern is the absence of functioning smoke alarms within the residence, a factor that could have alerted occupants to the impending danger and potentially saved lives.
“Smoke alarms save lives,” emphasized Chief Adams, underlining the minimal cost and maximum impact of these lifesaving devices. “A smoke alarm is a fairly inexpensive item that costs less than a few cups of name-brand coffees.
It will watch over your family for ten years and wake you up in the middle of the night to help you and your loved ones survive a fire. So, please, make fire safety a priority in your home today by ensuring you have a working smoke alarm.”
For those in need of assistance acquiring smoke alarms, Operation Save-A-Life stands ready to help. Individuals can access further information or register for a complimentary smoke alarm installation through the organization’s website at lasfm.org or by contacting their local fire department.
