Emergency responders were dispatched on Jan. 26 around 6:42 am to a reported mobile home fire in the 1800 block of Johnson Chute Road near Natchitoches. With temperatures around 24 degrees, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s deputies and Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District No. 6 responded to the scene after being notified by the NATCOM 911 Center. The incident remains under investigation, and the scene was still active at the time of the report.
No injuries were reported. Deputies said the family living in the mobile home was able to safely exit the residence. Additional family members arrived on scene, and the displaced family will shelter with relatives.
In light of cold weather conditions, officials are reminding residents to follow heating safety precautions to reduce the risk of fires. Authorities stress that candles should never be used for heat or light and should not be left unattended. Heating sources should be kept at least three feet away from flammable materials such as curtains, furniture, and bedding.
Residents are encouraged to use space heaters equipped with automatic shut-off features and to place them on flat, stable surfaces. Space heaters should never be left unattended and should be turned off before sleeping or leaving a room. Officials also warn against using extension cords with space heaters, advising that they be plugged directly into wall outlets.
Additional safety guidance includes ensuring fireplaces and chimneys are clean and properly vented, using generators outdoors only and away from windows, doors, and vents, and never using ovens, grills, or outdoor heaters inside the home for warmth. Residents are also urged to install and maintain working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and to check on elderly neighbors or those who may need assistance during extreme cold.
