Amelia woman dies in RV fire

A woman died in a recreational vehicle fire Friday in Amelia, the State Fire Marshal's Office said.

The investigation continues, the fire marshal said in a press release. The victim's identity hasn't been released.

According to the press release, the Amelia Volunteer Fire Department answered the fire call at 1:30 p.m. Friday from the 200 block of West Side Park Lane.

"Unfortunately, firefighters located the body of a female victim in the kitchenette area of the motor home," the press release said.

Official identification and cause of death are pending with the St. Mary Parish Coroner’s Office, but the victim is believed to be the lone 40-year-old resident of the home.

After an assessment of the scene and collecting witness statements, fire marshal deputies determined the fire began in the kitchenette area of the RV where the victim was located.
While the exact cause is still undetermined, deputies have not been able to rule out the possibility of several potential contributing factors, including an electrical malfunction due to improper electrical connections, unattended cooking or unsafe smoking practices, the press release said.

Deputies were unable to confirm the presence of working smoke alarms in the RV. The State Fire Marshal's Office wants to remind Louisiana residents that all types of sleeping locations, even temporary or non-traditional, can benefit from the presence of a working smoke alarm.

If you need assistance obtaining smoke alarms for your home, Operations Save-A-Life can help. The program partners with local fire departments to install smoke alarms for free. To learn more about Operation Save-A-Life, visit our website at lasfm.org.