VIDEOS: Two men were killed in a house fire in Baton Rouge Sunday morning, May 4. According to the Baton Rouge Fire Department, the fire happened around 7:20 a.m. on Hollywood Street near North Foster Drive. When firefighters got to the scene, they discovered flames pouring from every window and from the door of the home. Three residents were able to escape to safety before crews arrived. However, the two people who died were not able to escape or be rescued by firefighters.
Investigators determined the flames were caused by unattended cooking. One of the residents who escaped told firefighters he walked away from cooking, and the fire had already started by the time he returned. According to the EBR Parish Coroner’s Office, one of the victims was identified as Vinnie Thomassie, Jr., 39. The other man’s identity has not been released while they work to notify his next of kin. The Red Cross has been called to assist the three residents who survived. In addition to Baton Rouge firefighters, the District 6 Fire Department also responded to the scene.
