The circumstances surrounding a deadly house fire in De Ridder Sunday night remain the focus of State Fire Marshal investigators.
Investigators were dispatched to 1128 N. Texas Street in De Ridder late Sunday after fire crews responded to a reported residential structure fire shortly after 10:00 p.m. Upon their arrival, firefighters were met outside the residence by one of the occupants, Dennis Morgan, 69, who reported that his wife was still inside the burning home.
After beginning suppression efforts, firefighters entered the structure and discovered the lifeless body of 70-year-old Berdie Morgan in the living area of the home, which prompted the call to investigators. After being examined by investigators, the victim’s body was released to the Beauregard Parish Coroner’s Office for autopsy.
Dennis Morgan was transported by ambulance to Beauregard Memorial Hospital in De Ridder for treatment of severe smoke inhalation.
While no official cause of the fire has been determined, investigators established that the fire originated in the living room in an area in close proximity to where the victim’s body was located.
The investigation into the cause of the fire continues.