Pioneer woman dies in fire

State Fire Marshal’s deputies have concluded an investigation into a house fire that claimed the life of a Pioneer woman.

Just before 7 p.m. March 6, West Carroll Ward #2 Fire District responded to a call for a residential fire located in the 2800 block of Leggitt Crossing in Pioneer. Firefighters later located the body of a female occupant in the home’s living room.

Official identification and cause of death are pending with the West Carroll Parish Coroner’s Office, however, the victim is believed to be the 76-year-old homeowner.

After an assessment of the scene, deputies determined the fire originated in the home’s kitchen and was caused by unattended cooking practices. The case has been classified as accidental.

Deputies learned the victim called a relative who lived next door to request assistance in putting a fire out in the home. The relative made attempts to rescue the victim, but was unfortunately unsuccessful. It is unknown if this home had working smoke alarms at the time of the fire.

The SFM would like to remind families about these key cooking safety tips:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove;

• Stay in the home when you are cooking any food item;

• Keep cooking environments free of clutter and combustible materials;

• Keep children at least three feet away from the stove, sharp objects and hot foods and/or liquids;

• Avoid cooking when tired, distracted or under the influence;

• Keep a lid close by in the event a small, stovetop fire occurs that can be smothered by placing the lid over it and turning off the heat;

• If an oven fire occurs, turn off the heat and leave the door closed;

• When a large cooking fire occurs, get yourself and any other occupants out of the home immediately and call 911 for help;

• Keep electrical cords, matches and lighters out of the reach of children;

• Keep the kitchen space clear to avoid tripping hazards; and

• Make sure you have working smoke alarms.

The fire marshal’s Operation Save-A-Life program partners with local fire departments and districts to provide free smoke alarm installations at any time of the year for families in need of assistance accessing the critical emergency-alert equipment.

To register for a free smoke alarm, or learn more about Operation Save-A-Life, visit lasfm.org.