Shreveport Firefighters Battle Another Blaze at The Jolie Apartments
Shreveport, La. — It’s been a tough couple of weeks for residents and firefighters alike as flames tore through a vacant building at The Jolie apartments once again. Just the other day, on Wednesday morning, firefighters received an urgent call around 11:30 a.m. to respond to a fire that erupted at the complex located on Quail Creek. Their efforts to contain the fire were commendable, with a whopping seventeen fire units on the scene by early afternoon.
Another Day, Another Fire
Eye-witnesses could see the flames licking at the roof of the apartment building, a sight that brings back memories of a similar disaster just weeks before. This fire was particularly close to where a previous blaze consumed another structure on October 11, leaving only remnants behind. In fact, as soon as the smoke cleared from that earlier incident, workers from the city’s Public Works Department wasted no time in moving in with an excavator to level the building. You can guess what happened this time — safety first! The damaged building was also demolished to prevent any potential injuries, especially from falling debris.
Fire Chief Discusses Challenges
Fire Chief Clarence Reese faced the cameras to share what it was like tackling yet another fire in such a challenging environment. “This area has its quirks,” he mentioned, referring to the absence of working fire hydrants on the property. “We adapt, we overcome.” This time around, the team had to hustle to catch a hydrant located some distance away and make their way over a levee, stretching hoses through backyards and over fences, which obviously isn’t the safest of situations.
“I’m planning to have a chat with neighbors on Riley Lane to let them know we may have to come through their yards if another emergency arises,” Reese explained further. He expressed legitimate concerns over how unsuspecting homeowners might react if they spot someone in their backyard at 3 a.m. His worries? Getting injured or dealing with misunderstandings in the dark of night.
Staying Safe in the Neighborhood
This particular incident marks the fifth fire at the complex since earlier this year when residents were evacuated after utilities were cut off. Quite the hot spot for trouble, The Jolie apartments have seen their fair share of disasters, with authorities continuing to keep a watchful eye in the hopes of preventing further damage. The fire hydrants on-site are currently out of commission since the apartments are considered a closed site, adding to the challenges faced by the firefighters. Sadly, trespassing is a problem with folks still wandering onto the property.
Looking Ahead
As for what caused this recent blaze? That’s still up in the air. Investigations are ongoing, and officials are doing their best to piece together what happened and how to prevent it from happening again. Meanwhile, the community can only hope that with each new fire, they at least get one step closer to ensuring everyone’s safety.
Stay Informed
The presence of these repeated incidents at The Jolie apartments serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety and community vigilance. If you live nearby or have family in the area, it’s a good idea to stay updated on local developments. It might also be wise to keep everyone safe as Halloween approaches — after all, the spookiest day of the year shouldn’t also come with a side of danger!
As always, let’s work together to support our local firefighters and keep an eye out for safety in our lovely city of Shreveport. City officials and emergency responders are committed to serving the community, no matter how many obstacles they might face. Until next time, stay safe and enjoy the sunny weather!
