Jonesville fire claims life of man, toddler
Published 1:21 pm Friday, October 4, 2024
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JONESVILLE, La. – The death of a man and toddler in a house fire earlier this week has prompted State Fire Marshal Chief Bryan J. Adams to remind Louisiana families about the importance of having a practiced home escape plan.
Around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2, the Sandy Lake Fire Department responded to a call for a mobile home fire located in the 4200 block of Highway 923 in Jonesville. When firefighters arrived, they found six people had escaped the home, but tragically, a man and a toddler did not survive.
While the official identifications and causes of death are pending with the Coroner’s Office, the victims are believed to be a 29-year-old resident and his 3-year-old stepson.
State Fire Marshal (SFM) deputies have determined the fire started in the kitchen/living room area. While the cause is still under investigation, electrical malfunction cannot be ruled out.
The family reports having smoke alarms in the home, but do not recall hearing them sound. The SFM wants to remind the public that while having smoke alarms is critical, ensuring they are in working order by testing them once a month is imperative.
In addition, having a practiced home escape plan for everyone to follow when smoke alarms do sound is key to surviving a fire. That plan should include everyone knowing two ways out of every room in the house and to have an agreed meeting spot to escape to and call for help.