Shreveport city leaders are wrestling with an increase in fire involving vacant and non-operational buildings. Mayor Tom Acreneaux has proposed a temporary 2 percent surcharge on water and sewage bills to raise about 3 million dollars for demolishing these unsafe properties. The plan would last 18 months and focus on large empty buildings that continue to catch on fire.
In 2024, more than 30 vacant buildings in Shreveport caught fire. The fire department warned owners to secure and clean out properties to prevent more incidents. This problem has continued into 2025. Oak Meadows Apartments has had 10 fires this year, and Villa Norte Apartments has had a two-alarm fire along with another that left a firefighter injured. This October, the historic Shreveport Country Club, which stood for more than a century, was also destroyed by fire.
These repeated fires show how dangerous neglected properties have become. The mayor’s proposal aims to reduce these risks, protect firefighters, and make neighborhoods safer for residents.
References
Hazelton, B. (2025, October 4). Fire destroys more than century-old Shreveport Country Club. KTBS. https://www.ktbs.com/news/fire-destroys-more-than-century-old-shreveport...
Ngomo, K., & Hazelton, B. (2025, October 8). Shreveport Mayor proposes temporary surcharge water and sewage bills for demolitions. KSLA. https://www.ksla.com/2025/10/08/shreveport-mayor-proposes-temporary-surc...
Shreveport Times. (2024, September 25). Shreveport vacant home burns, fire department offers safety tips. https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2024/09/25/shreveport-v...
- Gabbi Olague
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