The Shreveport Fire Department (SFD) received a 911 call at 3:05pm on Feb. 2 reporting a building on fire in the 7200 block of Bernstein Avenue at the former Linwood Homes Apartments. Engine 9 arrived on scene within four (4) minutes and reported heavy smoke and flames coming from the roof of a two-story residential structure.

It required the efforts of thirty-two (32) firefighters operating twelve (12) units to bring the situation under control. Two aerial ladder trucks had to be deployed to assist in extinguishing the fire. Additionally, firefighters had to contend with long hose lays in two opposite directions to hydrants located on the surrounding city streets, as there are no water utilities inside the complex. Fortunately, there were no injuries to any firefighters or the public were reported.

The SFD has now responded to multiple fire incidents at abandoned apartment complexes in the city. Like the others, this property is no longer in operation and the buildings are unsecured. As such, no electrical and water utilities are connected to the buildings.

The building involved in this incident is a complete loss and fire investigators are working to determine the exact cause.