Paradis woman dies from severe burns sustained in house fire

Authorities believe gas vapor explosion led to blaze

Jonathan Menard

Christine Loupe was severely burned during a fire at this Paradis home. She died three days later. Investigators believe that a gas vapor explosion from natural gas that was dispensed from piping within the kitchen triggered the fire.

A 48-year-old Paradis woman died last week from injuries she sustained in a fire, according to State Fire Marshal H. “Butch” Browning.

The Paradis Volunteer Fire Department responded to an emergency call on Aug. 18 at about 5:14 p.m. at 115 Robert Street.  When they arrived, they found an older wood frame home engulfed in flames. Responders also located the injured body of the owner, Christine Loupe, outside the home.

Loupe had severe burns as a result of the fire and was transported to Baton Rouge General Mid-City for specialized burn care.

On Aug. 21, Loupe was pronounced dead from respiratory failure as a result of her injuries.

The Louisiana State Fire Marshal and the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office have joined together to determine the cause of the fire. At this time, investigators believe that a gas vapor explosion from natural gas that was dispensed from piping within the kitchen triggered the fire.

The home did not have working smoke detectors, but authorities don’t believe that Loupe was sleeping at the time of the fire.

It took firemen 30 minutes to get the blaze under control.
Testing and interviews are still being conducted, Browning said.