74 Year-Old Female Dies in Kentwood Fire

The Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office reports that a 74-year-old female was the victim of a fire last Wednesday (January 31, 2024) in Kentwood. 

Just after 4:30 AM last Wednesday, the Kentwood Fire Department responded to a fire at a non-operational bait shop located in the 71000 block of Highway 51. Firefighters arrived to find a resident of a nearby mobile home informing them of a woman possibly inside the burning structure. Firefighters located a deceased victim, believed to be the 74-year-old female resident of a nearby mobile home. Offical identification and cause of death are pending with the parish Coroner’s Office.  

Deputies determined the fire began in the front/middle portion of the bait shop, which was without any utility connections, where the victim was found. At this time, the cause of this fire remains undetermined.

“We have sadly averaged one loss of life per week in 2024 to home fires and, in four of those cases, the cause is suspected to be either heating or smoking-related,” said State Fire Marshal Chief Bryan J Adams, “This is a dangerous trend that cannot continue, and shouldn’t, because these incidents are preventable.”

The SFM’s top home heating safety tips include placing space heaters 3-5 feet away from flammable items like blankets and comforters and plugging them directly into wall outlets as opposed to extension cords and power strips that can overheat and spark a fire. Also, it is advised not to leave candles or open-flame devices, including propane heaters, unattended or in use while sleeping.

Regarding top safe smoking practices, you should always smoke outdoors and fully extinguish and discard smoking materials in appropriate containers.

Chief Adams 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.