Louisiana
Baton Rouge fire officials urge smoke alarm installation after 10 Louisiana deaths
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Fire officials are urging residents to install working smoke alarms after 10 people died in Louisiana house fires this January, all in homes without functioning smoke detectors.
Baton Rouge Fire Chief Kimble made an urgent plea to residents during a news conference on Friday.
“As a fire chief, I am begging, I am begging each citizen of this city and this parish, if you do not have a working smoke alarm, call your local fire department,” Kimble said. “For the city of Baton Rouge, you call out, we will come to your house and get one installed as soon as possible.”
The January deaths continue to be a troubling trend. Louisiana recorded 88 fire deaths last year.
“It’s unheard of that we’ve had that many fatalities,” said State Fire Marshal Bryan Adams in a GOHSEP news conference on Thursday.
Fire department responds to surge in requests
The Baton Rouge Fire Department has received numerous calls from residents requesting help with smoke alarm installation or seeking free alarms through the state fire marshal’s program called “Operation Save a Life.”
Fire department spokesman Billy Zachary said crews are working through a backlog of requests.
“Were making a list and going down the list to fulfill those requests. If you put in a request and it’s taking a few days, just bear with us; we will get to you and get you a smoke alarm,” Zachary said.
The fire department plans to clear the backlog within 72 hours.
“Were trying to get as many as we can done before Sunday night,” Zachary said.
Simple installation process
Installing a smoke alarm requires only basic tools and takes minutes to complete. The devices cost about $20 and require two screws for mounting, but screws and batteries usually come with the device.
Zachary emphasized the importance of smoke alarms for home safety.
“Sometimes people think that it couldn’t happen to them, and it kinda is an out-of-mind sort of thing, but it really does add an extra layer of protection; it takes 10 seconds to test the smoke alarm,” he said.
Officials are asking residents to check their smoke alarms and replace batteries as needed. They also encourage people to check on their neighbors’ safety preparations. Be sure to avoid using power strips and extension cords for space heaters, and make sure your heaters and open flames are turned off and put out before you go to sleep.
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NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – A driver died from a gunshot wound after a Louisiana State Police car chase in New Orleans Saturday evening (June 20), but troopers say they did not fire the gun.
Troop NOLA confirmed the car chase ended near Franklin Avenue and North Miro Street Saturday. Troopers said they found the driver shot and brought them to the hospital, where that person died.
The driver’s identity has not been released.
A Troop NOLA spokesperson said he could not confirm if anyone else was in the car, if anyone has been arrested, or if troopers found a gun.
A spokesperson said more details will be released as a state police force investigation continues.
Troop NOLA is a special investigation unit tasked with proactive policing, traffic enforcement and crime reduction.
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Copyright 2026 WVUE. All rights reserved.
MONROE, La. (KNOE) – Shelby Bordelon of Iberville Parish was crowned Miss Louisiana 2026 Saturday night in Monroe, earning the title and a $15,000 scholarship. Bordelon, a graduate student at Southeastern Louisiana University, said the role is about more than pageantry, emphasizing the yearlong service mission tied to the crown.
“Part of the mission of this organization is the service behind it,” Bordelon said. “And the service is so important, you are serving your state for a year… having the opportunities to connect with others… to continue making an impact and leaving my mark on others as well.”
Bordelon, who finished first runner-up in last year’s competition, said the moment her name was called as the winner still hasn’t fully sunk in.
“It was every emotion you could think of that was running through my mind at that moment,” she said, adding she focused on preparation and perspective this year. “I really wanted to go into this year with no regrets… just really trusting in that mindset and that plan.”
Bordelon said she hopes to use her platform to raise awareness for her nonprofit, Claire’s Promise, which focuses on combating drunk driving.
You can learn more about the nonprofit here. She will now represent Louisiana at the Miss America Pageant, which begins in late August in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
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