City of New Orleans, LA
01/24/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/24/2025 13:19
Space Heater Causes Two-Alarm Fire with Fatality in Algiers
January 24, 2025 | From New Orleans Fire Department
Space Heater Causes Two-Alarm Fire with Fatality in Algiers
On Friday, January 24, 2025, at 1:55 a.m., the New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) Fire Operations personnel were dispatched to the scene of a report of smoke coming from a neighbor's home at 1808-10 Diane Street in Algiers. Arriving on the scene at 2:03 a.m., firefighters encountered a single-story, wood-framed double with heavy smoke and flames coming through the roof in the rear of the home. The Incident Commander struck a second alarm due to the extent of the fire and reports from neighbors saying that someone may be inside. Davy Crocket and Terrytown Fire Departments were also dispatched to provide Mutal Aid. Rescue teams forced entry, did a primary search, and found a deceased female. She was approximately 60 years of age on the 1810 side of the structure. The residents of 1808 were not home at the time of the fire but arrived while firefighters were still on the scene. A family of three was displaced and assisted by the American Red Cross due to this fire.
Fire Investigators found a space heater next to a bed at the point of origin which burned through the floor of the home. The New Orleans Fire Department would like to remind residents of the dangers of heating equipment being one of the leading causes of home fire deaths. Please keep the heating equipment at least three feet away from anything that can burn and make that three-foot radius a kid-free, pet-free zone. Never use your oven to heat your home and remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
Fourteen NOFD units carrying thirty-seven Fire Operations personnel were deployed to bring this fire under control at 3:06 a.m. There were no other reports of civilian or firefighter injury.
911 Call Received: 1:55 a.m.
1st Alarm: 1:55 a.m.
On Scene: 2:03 a.m.
2nd Alarm: 2:20 a.m.
Under Control: 3:06 a.m.
NOFD Personnel: 37
NOFD Units: 14
Cause: Space Heater
Injuries: Civilian Fatality/Adult Female