Awful Louisiana Fire Death of Disabled Man Blamed on Electrical Malfunction

Officials with the Office of the State Fire Marshal Bryan Adams say a man died in a fire in his home, and investigators know the fire was started by an electrical malfunction.

According to officials, firefighters arrived on the scene after getting a call at around 9 o'clock on the morning of Saturday, February 22 to respond to a house fire.

The person, a 65-year-old disabled man, died as a result of the fire. The electrical malfunction, it was determined, came from the plug on the dryer. The house was in the 900 block of East Carroll Street in Coushatta.

Fire Death And Roadway Death Stories Linked

In another twist to this story, we also reported on a fatal traffic crash that happened on that same day in which a Coushatta woman died after failing to stop for a deputy's vehicle that had its lights and sirens on.

The deputy, Asia Spikes, was responding to the call about the house fire when 70-year-old Ella Winn made a left turn in front of the deputy's car. Winn was not wearing a seat belt, and due to succumbing to her injuries, she died at the scene.

You can read more about the crash by clicking here.

There Was A Smoke Alarm In The Home That Burned

Chief Adams says that while investigators found a smoke alarm in the man's home, they do not know if it was in working order.

Adams says,

Smoke alarms are proven to save lives and are the best protection no matter what type of structure you stay in. That’s why it’s so devastating when someone dies in a residential fire without a working smoke alarm. We need every family in this state to invest in their safety by getting working smoke alarms for their homes today.

There is a way to get a free smoke alarm, and there are programs to help those who can't install them for themselves.

Operation Save-A-Life has received multiple donations of smoke alarms and works with those who need help purchasing one.

If you need a smoke alarm or someone to help you install it, you can visit lasfm.org or contact your local fire department.