Photos Courtesy Winnfield Fire Department

Both the Winnfield and Winn Parish fire departments responded to a call for mutual aid April 10 to assist firefighters from across Jackson Parish in battling a blaze that destroyed the Paradise Funeral Home on Hwy 167 at Beech Springs Hwy in Jonesboro.

It appears that the fire broke out around 9:30 a.m. and the call for assistance went out around 10 a.m.  The Winnfield Fire Department responded to the Jonesboro Fire Department’s request with Ladder Truck 1 and Support 2, together with three personnel. Requested of Winn Parish Fire District 3 was water supply and the department sent two 4000 gallon tankers to assist with water shuttling operations

Once on scene, fire fighters found the building fully involved and a defense operation set up by departments from three parishes.  Fire fighters met with command and set the ladder truck up on the back side of the funeral home for aerial operations. Ladder 1 was provided a dump tank to draft from and several tankers that kept the supply of water going.  

The building was a total loss. There were no injuries to either citizens or fire responders that were reported.  Funeral home officials have since announced a temporary location at 401 E. Main Street, the former Stage location.

Both Chief Brian Montgomery in Winnfield and Chief Dustin Parker with WPFD emphasized that while the mutual aid response took place, both the city and parish were protected by equipment and other fire personnel on and off duty.