Longview ZIP Codes on Biggest Fire Risk List

LONGVIEW — Two ZIP codes in Longview are among the highest for fire risk in North Texas — and for the American Red Cross. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, that means working to increase awareness about what causes fires and the importance of smoke alarms. ZIP codes 75602 and 75604 are on a list of the top 10 ZIP codes at risk of fire in the North Texas region, which included Amarillo, Tarrant County, and Waco in the Red Cross study. They were the only Northeast Texas ZIP codes on the list.

“We had two (ZIP codes), and that’s pretty significant,” said Christine Brown, a program manager with the American Red Cross, adding that other ZIP codes making the list had higher populations. “So for us to have two, that shows that there definitely needs to be education and smoke alarms.” The rankings are based on data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System, including the number of severe incidents, deaths and injuries; income and poverty levels; and population levels, Brown said. The two ZIP codes listed in the study are in South and West Longview.

Brown said data show those two ZIP codes have a higher risk of fire because houses may be older and people may be more likely to use methods such as space heaters or ovens to heat their homes because of money issues. “One of the things that are not on their minds is smoke alarms,” Brown said. “Even those who are not in poverty, smoke alarms just aren’t necessarily on their minds. But that puts you at risk for fire.” The 75604 area also has a lot of mobile homes, she said.

Areas such as South Longview, which has numerous older homes, do see risk of fire from outdated building codes, old electrical wiring and other issues, Longview Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary said. The department also sees many fires stemming from the use of space heaters, he said. But overall, Zackary said, any home can catch on fire. Every resident should make sure he or she has working smoke alarms, he said. “Fire can affect any home at any time,” he said.

The Red Cross has been providing free smoke alarms for about two years, with the organization teaming with community groups and local fire departments. This week, Brown said the group will be in Easton, working with city officials to install smoke alarms for residents. The Red Cross does not have requirements for people seeking smoke alarms, Brown said. “What we look at is if they’re calling us for a smoke alarm, they obviously need it,” she said.