State Fire Marshal deputies continue investigating the circumstances surrounding a mobile home fire near Franklinton that claimed the life of a disabled woman.
Just before 5:15 a.m. this past Sunday (January 23) the Franklinton Fire Department responded to a report of a residential fire located in the 45000 block of Jamieson Creek Road, north of Franklinton. Firefighters were told there was a woman inside who was unable to escape due to a disability. Tragically, the victim died before she could be rescued.
Official identification and the actual cause of death are both pending with the Washington Parish Coroner’s office. However, the victim is believed to be the 51-year-old homeowner.
According to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, following an assessment of the scene, it was determined that the fire began in the bedroom where the victim was located. While the official cause of this fire remains undetermined at this time, investigators are unable to rule out the possibility of an electrical malfunction due to improper and/or aged wiring.
In addition, State Fire Marshal’s investigators confirmed the mobile home did not have working smoke alarms.
In a statement, the Fire Marshal’s Office said, “Smoke alarms are a proven tool to alert residents to a fire danger in order to escape safely, even in a mobile home. If you need assistance obtaining smoke alarms for your home, Operations Save-A-Life can help. The program partners with local fire departments to install smoke alarms for free. To learn more about Operation Save-A-Life, visit our website at lasfm.org.”
