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RAPIDES PARISH, La. – A 21-year-old remains hospitalized after being injured trying to rescue his grandparents from a fatal house fire in Pineville.

The Holiday Village Fire Department responded to a call on Friday for a house fire located in the 300 block of Janet Drive. When firefighters arrived, they found two victims, an elderly man and elderly female, inside of the home as well as a third male victim outside. Life-saving measures were attempted on the female victim who was pulled from the home, but were unsuccessful.

The 21-year-old man found outside of the home, who was injured during several attempts to rescue the elderly man, was transported to an area hospital. He remains hospitalized on Tuesday. The elderly male victim was pronounced dead on the scene.

While the official identifications and causes of death are pending with the Coroner’s Office, the victims are believed to be the 76-year-old male homeowner and his 71-year-old wife. The survivor is the grandson of the elderly couple.

State Fire Marshal (SFM) deputies have determined the fire started on the back porch. The cause of this fire remains under investigation at this time.
Deputies have been able to confirm this home did not have working smoke alarms. State Fire Marshal Chief Bryan J. Adams reminds Louisiana residents that smoke alarms have proven to be the difference between life and death in a fire emergency.

If you need assistance obtaining smoke alarms for your home, Operation Save-A-Life can help. To learn more about Operation Save-A-Life, or to register for a free smoke alarm installation, visit our website at lasfm.org or contact your local fire department to request a free smoke alarm installation.