Deville man dies in house fire

Early Sunday morning, August 5, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to a fatal fire in Deville. The victim was Russell H. Free, age 65.

Fire crews discovered Free’s body inside his home on Nickolas Road around 5:30 a.m.

Officials said Free was disabled, and was a smoker who was known to smoke cigarettes while in bed. However, they’re not sure if he fell asleep while smoking or if there was an electrical issue in the home.

Officials also said Free’s body was found in the living room, so they believe he may have been trying to get out of the home.

Due to these reasons, the State Fire Marshal’s Office said the cause is undetermined with the inability to rule out carelessly disregarded smoking material or potential electrical causing.