Firefighters from five area agencies responded to assist St. Tammany Fire District 12 personnel in extinguishing a house fire in the Crestwood subdivision this morning.
At approximately 8:28 a.m., callers to UniFire reported a home at 722 Penwood Drive was on fire. FD12 units were on the scene at 8:34 and found the home heavily engulfed in flames. The fire chief on the scene immediately requested assistance both to extinguish the blaze and protect other nearby structures.
Units from Covington Fire Department, along with Fire Districts 2, 4, 8 and 13 responded, and firefighters had the fire under control 39 minutes after arrival.
In addition to the four FD12 engines and the single rescue unit that responded, Fire District 4 dispatched two engines and the other responding agencies each sent one fire engine and personnel.
The home was heavily damaged. Acadian Ambulance transported the homeowner to St. Tammany Parish Hospital with apparently minor injuries. The cause remains under investigation by FD12.
“This is a tragic event for this family,” said FD12 Chief Darrell Guilott. “We’re grateful for the assistance of our neighboring agencies, as greater manpower and equipment allowed us to more quickly and safely control the blaze and prevent damage to other homes nearby.”
The homeowner herself made the initial call to 911; multiple other calls from neighbors followed.
Attached photographs of the scene were provided by an area resident.
Media contact: James Hartman, james@jameshartman.net or 504.458.4600.
