GEISMAR — The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a deadly fire that left a 79-year-old man, believed to be the homeowner, dead.
It was around 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 25th when the Geismar Fire Dept. responded to the 1200 block of Hwy. 73 for a mobile home fire. Inside the mobile home, firefighters found a man near the back door, who did not survive the fire.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office has now taken over the investigation because it involves a death. Official identification and cause of death are pending with the coroner’s office before officials can release the man’s name. As of now, officials say he is believed to be the 79-year-old homeowner.
State Fire Marshal deputies have determined that the fire started in a bedroom. The exact cause remains
undetermined at this time, but deputies cannot rule out potential unsafe heating practices or improperly discarded smoking materials as possible contributing factors.
It’s why the State Fire Marshal’s Office would like to remind everyone that if using a space heater, keep the devices 3-5 feet away from flammable items like blankets and comforters. In addition, it is recommended to plug space heaters directly into wall outlets as opposed to extension cords and power strips that can overheat and spark a fire.
It is always recommended to smoke outdoors. All smoking materials, including lighters, should be kept out of the reach of children and fully extinguished in appropriate containers.
In the mobile home’s case, officials said the home did not have working smoke alarms. Please ensure there are working smoke alarms inside every home and business because it could mean the difference between life and death in a fire emergency.
Anyone needing help with getting a smoke alarm 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 installation, visit lasfm.org or contact your local fire department to request a free smoke alarm installation.
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