Between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday, Lafayette firefighters responded to two house fires and a burning vehicle that turned out to be arson, officials say.
At 2:24 a.m., firefighters were called to the 400 block of South Orange Street for a house fire.
The owners reported a fire in their child’s bedroom, and when firefighters arrived they found the house filled with smoke. The fire was contained to that one room, and although the house sustained moderate smoke and fire damaged, nobody was hurt. The fire was quickly extinguished, a spokesman siad.
Fire investigators learned that the family was using their oven to heat the home. A young child lit a wooden item in the stove, and brought it to the bedroom. That item ignited the child’s bedding, investigators say. The child wasn’t injured, a spokesman said.
Firefighters say it’s not safe to use an oven or stove top to heat the house.
A few minutes later, around 2:56 a.m., firefighters were called out to a house fire in the 1000 block of E. Alexander Street. The homeowners said that their fire alarm told them there was a fire in the attic. They found a small fire and tried to put it out. Firefighters were able to contain the fire and get it extinguished, the spokesman said.
The fire caused minor damage to the dwelling. An electrical short in wires in the attic are likely the cause of the fire, investigators say. No injuries were reported.
Then, at 4:45 a.m., firefighters were called to a vehicle fire in the 400 block of Ridge Road. They found a vehicle burning the parking lot of a roofing company. The building wasn’t damaged and no injuries were reported, the spokesman said.
After they got the fire out, investigators learned the vehicle had been reported stolen on Saturday. It sustained heavy fire damage.
Fire investigators determined the vehicle was intentionally set on fire.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers (232-TIPS) or the Lafayette Fire Department at 291-8716.
