Shreveport Witnesses another Fire at a Vacant Apartment Complex

In another unfortunate instance, a catastrophic fire swept through another vacant apartment complex in Shreveport early Sunday morning, June 23. The Shreveport Fire Department was called to the scene at the 7200 block of Bernstein Avenue just after 8:30 a.m.

Fighting the Flames

Upon arrival, firefighters were met with dark, heavy smoke billowing from a building at Linwood Homes apartment complex. An immediate survey of the property confirmed that there were no residents within the building, allowing firefighters to instigate a defensive exterior attack utilizing tow ladder trucks. Linwood Homes, currently devoid of any operational activity and lacking electrical services, was successfully subdued by 32 firefighters, within the span of an hour. However, the incident saw one firefighter sustain minor injuries.

A Rising Concern

The Shreveport Fire Department issued a public statement addressing the increasing concerns surrounding this recent fire outbreak and the safety of the community. They drew attention to the fires that have erupted within the past month, targeting The Jolie Apartments, The Pines Apartments, and now, Linwood Homes. The SFD emphasized that all three properties were vacant at the time, with The Jolie and The Pines apartments being subjected to Mayor Tom Arceneaux’s Declaration of State of Public Health and Safety Emergency prior to the fire incidents.

The escalating number of fires at these empty complexes has resulted in several firefighter injuries, posing a significant risk to the safety of both the public and first responders.

Public Appeal

In the wake of this, the fire department is encouraging citizens to report any suspicious activity within these premises or any other vacant city apartment complexes to the authorities. The enhanced risk to public safety compels the importance of community vigilance in these unsettling times.

In an attempt to mitigate the problem, the mayor had earlier issued an emergency declaration around the city’s problem-ridden apartment complexes. Continuing incidents like these emphasize the importance of such steps and pose difficult questions about the city’s ability to maintain the safety and security of its buildings.

Comments

It is apparent the city of Shreveport and the fire department are grappling to understand and manage these occurrences. They urge local residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity. However, more importantly, the recurring instances underscore the need for a thorough investigation to ascertain whether these events are just unfortunate coincidences or the outcome of a more sinister plot such as arson.

As the city of Shreveport continues to battle these unfortunate incidents, maintaining the safety of its citizens and its first responders remains paramount. Continued vigilance from both the fire department and the public would be cardinal in ensuring that tragic instances like these do not continue to tarnish the city’s atmosphere.