Deputies with the Louisiana State Fire Marshal (SFM) are investigating a house fire in Elton that claimed the life of a male resident and his pet dog.
Jefferson Davis Fire District #6 responded to a call for a house fire located in the 8500 block of Highway 190 in Elton before 8:30 p.m., Saturday, November 25. Firefighters later located the body of a man in the living room area. The body of his pet dog was found nearby.
While official identification and cause of death are pending with the parish Coroner’s Office, at this time, the victim is believed to be the 67-year-old homeowner.
Following an assessment of the scene and conducting witness statements, deputies have determined the fire began near where the victim was found. While the investigation into the exact cause of the fire continues, deputies have been unable to rule out the possibility of unsafe heating practices or an electrical malfunction associated with improper use of extension cords as potential contributing factors.
As the state heads into the time of year when more frequent cold fronts are keeping temperatures low, the SFM urges families to follow safe home heating practices. Those include:
•Placing space heaters three to four feet from combustible objects like blankets and curtains.
•Plugging all heating appliances directly into wall outlets, not power strips or extension cords.
•Avoiding the use of stoves or ovens to heat homes.
•Not overfilling fireplaces/wood-burning stoves and ensuring proper ventilation
•Not leaving candles/open flames (or space heaters) unattended.
When it comes to electrical safety, which is often associated with home heating, it is advised to avoid long-term and unintended uses of extension cords which include connecting several extension cords to create non-traditional power sources. This can cause overheating and become a fire hazard.
Lastly, deputies were unable to locate working smoke alarms in the home. The SFM wants to stress to all Louisiana residents that smoke alarms have proven to be the difference between life and death in a fire emergency. If you need assistance obtaining smoke alarms for your home, Operation Save-A-Life can help. To learn more about Operation Save-A-Life, or to register for a free smoke alarm, visit our website at lasfm.org or contact your local fire department to request a free smoke alarm installation.
