ST. MARY PARISH- The State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFM) is continuing its investigation into the circumstances surrounding a camper fire in Jeanerette that claimed the life of a male resident.
Around 4 a.m. on Friday, April 22, St. Mary Fire District #11 responded to a report of a camper fire located in the 1000 block of Highway 318 in Jeanerette. While putting out the fire, firefighters unfortunately located a male victim at the front door of the camper.
Official identification and cause of death are pending with the St. Mary Parish Coroner’s Office, however, the victim is believed to be the 53-year-old sole resident of the camper.
Due to the extent of the damage, deputies have been unable to pinpoint an area of origin or a potential cause at this time. However, the camper was being powered by an extension cord that was connected to a nearby mobile home and deputies are looking further into whether that improper wiring may have been a contributing factor.
When it comes to electrical safety, avoid connecting extension cords and power strips to create power sources where a wall outlet does not exist or between two structures. Also, only use those cords and strips for temporary purposes. And contact a licensed electrician for any electrical concerns in and around your home.
Also, deputies have been unable to confirm the presence of a working smoke alarm. Smoke alarms are proven to give families critical seconds to escape safely from a fire emergency.
If you need assistance obtaining smoke alarms for your home, Operations Save-A-Life can help. The program partners with local fire departments to install smoke alarms for free. To learn more about Operation Save-A-Life, visit our website at lasfm.org.