Four killed in early morning fire in Alexandria

UPDATE****Alexandria, La. (March 2, 2020) —

Victims Identified in Fatal House Fire

Investigators have released the names of the woman and her three grandchildren killed in a house fire in the early morning hours of March 1.

Victims were Verlana Cooper, 48, Jadyn Cooper, 7, Brooklyn Cooper, 4, and Drya Reign Russaw, 4 months.

ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) — A central Louisiana house fire has claimed four lives.

Alexandria firefighters responded to a blaze at a house late Saturday. After the fire was out, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal says a 48-year-old woman and three girls were found inside. The girls were 7 years old, 4 years old and 4 months old, respectively.

The victims hadn’t been identified Sunday, but the woman was the grandmother of the three children.

On Sunday, yellow crime scene tape remained stretched across the front of the house. A pink and purple child’s toy was on the ground in the front yard.

The state fire marshal’s office is assisting local fire, police and prosecutors with the investigation.

Below is a copy of the official press release sent from the City of Alexandria:

Alexandria, La. (March 1, 2020)— One adult and three children died in an early morning fire on Wainwright Street.

The fire started around midnight. The victim’s names are not being released at this time.

The fire remains under investigation. Agencies involved in the investigation include the State Fire Marshal, Alexandria Fire Department, Alexandria Police Department and the Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office.