Baton Rouge LA, State Fire Marshal H. “Butch” Browning announced today that his office is investigating a residential house trailer fire that claimed the life of a Hammond man. The Hammond Fire Department received a 911 call on February 6, 2010 at 04:49 hours that a house trailer located at 43469 Little Vegas Rd. Hammond LA was on fire. Arriving emergency units reported that 90% of the structure was on fire and that one person did not get out. Firefighters immediately entered the dangerous burning building in an effort to make a rescue.

There were two brothers sleeping in the structure at the time of fire and only one escaped injury. Mr. Frank Luker dob. 8-13-81 was found by Firefighters in the burning building after their arrival. He was located in his bedroom and was pronounced dead on the scene. His body was taken into the custody of the Tangipahoa Parish Coroner’s Office to further examination. The State Fire Marshal’s Office in cooperation with the Hammond Fire Department, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff and the Coroner’s office will be determining the reason for this tragic fire that took the life of Mr. Luker. Preliminary findings indicate several accidental causes that are being considered. It is suspected that it will take several days for forensic evidence to be examined and results to be available. This fire is considered under investigation at this time. It should also be noted that smoke detectors were present but did not alarm, it is believed that there we not working batteries in them.

Fire Marshal Browning commended the heroic attempts by the Firefighters to enter this dangerous building and save life; however, in this case their expert professional attention was too late as this life was lost before the 911 call was made to the fire department. He further stated, “Every home must have a working smoke detector, if you don’t, your families lives are in danger”.