Jefferson Parish firefighters and JPSO are investigating a fatal fire that occurred in Metarie. The incident happened just after 6 a.m. on Wednesday near the corner of Lausa Street and Shrewsbury Road. Eddie Harris is the homeowner who was home with two other people on the time of the hearth. Harris said his life was saved by his neighbors who saved him. “I used to be sleeping in my bed. They were knocking on my door saying my house was on fire,” Harris said. Mobile phone footage shows flames coming from the house moments after firefighters arrived. Harris said he, his tenant and the tenant’s friend were in the house. His tenant was sent to hospital after suffering burns from the fire, and his friend sadly died. “How it started, I really don’t know for sure,” Harris said. Harris said that thanks to Calvin McKinnis, a neighbor who was on his way to work nearby, he stepped into action, which saved his life. “As soon as I parked. I said, oh, the house is on fire, so my first reaction was to just jump out of the car, out of the truck, and just start running there. I start pulling him and there’s another guy waiting for me. We had to catch him because his hair was burnt and he had burns on his hands and arms, so we rush in and get them out of the yard,” Mckinnis said. Harris said he tried to get back home to save what he could, but it was too late. “They held me because I wanted to go back and get my keys,” Harris said. “I tried to stop Mr. Eddie from coming in and taking his car. I said, “Man, I’m not going to sit down here and watch you die.” I said, “God will replace all these things here.” You cannot replace your life,” Mckinnis said. Although Harris lost every part but his clothes, he’s grateful he still has a life, which he owes partially to those that helped save him. “It took everything from me, but still this man lost his life, so I kind of accept it because look what he lost – his life,” Harris said. The services haven’t identified the deceased man and it continues to be unclear how the hearth began. Jefferson Parish fire and JPSO officials said the incident stays under investigation.
Jefferson Parish firefighters and JPSO are investigating a fatal fire that occurred in Metarie.
The incident happened just after 6 a.m. on Wednesday near the corner of Lausa Street and Shrewsbury Road.
Eddie Harris is the homeowner who was home with two other people on the time of the hearth. Harris said his life was saved by his neighbors who saved him.
“I was sleeping in my bed. They were knocking on my door saying my house was on fire,” Harris said.
Mobile phone footage shows flames coming from the house moments after firefighters arrived. Harris said he, his tenant and the tenant’s friend were in the house. His tenant was sent to hospital after suffering burns from the fire, and his friend sadly died.
“How it started, I really don’t know for sure,” Harris said.
Harris said that due to Calvin McKinnis, a neighbor who was on his method to work nearby, he stepped into motion, which saved his life.
“As soon as I parked. I said, oh, the house is on fire, so my first reaction was to just jump out of the car, out of the truck, and just start running there. I start pulling him and there’s another guy waiting for me. We had to catch him because his hair was burnt and he had burns on his hands and arms, so we rush in and get them out of the yard,” Mckinnis said.
Harris said he tried to get back home to avoid wasting what he could, nevertheless it was too late.
“They held me because I wanted to go back and get my keys,” Harris said.
“I attempted to stop Mr. Eddie from coming in and taking his automotive. I said, “Man, I’m not going to sit here and watch you die.” I said, “God will replace all these things here.” You cannot replace your life,” Mckinnis said.
Although Harris lost everything but his clothes, he is grateful he still has a life, which he owes in part to those who helped save him.
“It took every part from me, but still this man lost his life, so I type of accept it because look what he lost – his life,” Harris said.
The services haven’t identified the deceased man and it continues to be unclear how the hearth began. Jefferson Parish fire and JPSO officials said the incident stays under investigation.
