SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) -
Fire damaged two homes in Shreveport's Highland neighborhood late Monday morning after home owners said they saw a surge protector in the home spark and catch a baby crib on fire.
Shreveport firefighters were called to the scene in the 500 block of Wall Street near Highland Avenue shortly before 11:00 a.m. There were three family members inside the home when the fire started that morning.
"I had to try to get out of the house. It was so smokey I couldn't see. So I can't get out the front door," said
But because of old housing codes in Shreveport the fire department had to do more than just worry about one home. The old ordinances call for at least five feet of space between two homes.
"Is there a definite that fire will jump from one house to another? No. Is it probable? Yes it is," said Shreveport Fire Chief Fred Sanders. "Older structures, at that particular time, the requirement was five feet from the property line, and builders take advantage of that."
Chief Sanders said even with the houses so close together the firefighters who put the flames out did an excellent job in protecting surrounding structures. Sanders also said he is glad that the building codes have been adjusted to fix the problem over the years.
"Today everything is built better. They are requiring smoke alarms in every home. They are requiring sheet rock in most homes," said Chief Sanders.
If your home does not have a smoke alarm, you can call the Shreveport Fire Prevention hotline at 318-673-6740. They will come out and install one in your home, free of charge.
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