Fire ravages MLK Blvd. home

Franklin Fire Department personnel were dispatched to a fire on Martin Luther King Boulevard Wednesday.
The call at 1:18 p.m. was of a structure fire at 305 Martin Luther King Blvd. Franklin Fire Chief Chuck Bourgeois reported that units arrived within one minute and found the rear second floor and attic of the residence involved in fire. With the assistance of Baldwin, Centerville, Chitimacha and Dist. 11 fire departments, the fire was brought under control at 1:57 p.m.
Bourgeois said the rear second floor wall and attic area suffered significant fire damage and there was water and smoke damage throughout. The loss is estimated at $15,000 for the structure and contents. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but is thought to be accidental.
The American Red Cross has been contacted and is providing assistance to the 11 residents who were left homeless.
The home did have smoke detectors installed, Bourgeois said, and the batteries were dead in one unit and the second was improperly installed, rendering it useless. The chief said everyone is strongly encouraged to have at least one operational smoke detector on each floor. All landlords are required to provide approved operational smoke detectors for any rental unit (house, trailer or apartment). If you are renting and do not have operational smoke detectors, contact the Franklin Fire Department at 828-6328. If you are a property owner and need smoke detector, contact the fire department for free assistance.