Shreveport, LA – A large commercial fire broke out yesterday afternoon at Pratt Industries, located in the 10000 block of Richard Pratt Drive. The Shreveport Fire Department (SFD) received reports of bales of paper on fire at approximately 4:25 p.m.
Engine 19 was the first unit to arrive on the scene, confirming multiple burning paper bales.
Due to strong winds, the fire rapidly escalated, prompting a second alarm. As conditions worsened, SFD issued a third alarm, calling for additional resources.
Over 100 firefighters from multiple agencies, including Bossier City Fire, Caddo Fire Districts 4 and 7, the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, and a tanker unit from DeSoto Parish, responded to assist.
The fire occurred in a 2.5 to 3-acre lot containing more than 9,500 tons of baled paper products.
Firefighters used an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) truck and various other SFD units to control the blaze, preventing it from spreading to nearby plant buildings and storage containers.
To ensure full containment, fire crews are being rotated every three hours, with large machinery brought in to move burned materials, allowing firefighters to continue soaking smoldering debris.
One firefighter sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
For those in need of a free smoke detector, the Shreveport Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau can be reached at 318-673-6740.
