Firefighters and trucks from seven fire departments in two parishes fought a residential and grass fire for hours on the hottest day ever recorded in Lafayette Sunday afternoon - and a Lafayette man is now under arrest in connection with the blaze.
One firefighter was treated on the scene for heat exhaustion, but otherwise there no injuries reported.
Neighbors told firefighters that the occupant wasn't home. The resident's dog was rescued from the home by his neighbors.
Jarad Decuir, 30, was booked with Simple Arson and booked into the Lafayette Parish jail.
Judice, Duson, and Milton Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the original 911 call reporting smoke coming from a mobile home in the Trails End Mobile Home Park, 409 Petite Road. When firefighters arrived on scene, the mobile home was fully involved.
Additional firefighters and resources were called to assist from Lafayette Fire Department, Maurice Fire Department, Indian Bayou Fire Department, and brush trucks from all parish volunteer departments. Fire responders were on scene for over 2 hours fighting both fires.
The mobile home sustained heavy fire damage. The occupant lost everything in the fire.
Lafayette Fire Department arson investigators determined that the fire was intentionally set. With the assistance of Lafayette Sheriff Department, a suspect was identified and Decuir was arrested.
The investigation into the fires in ongoing. If anyone has any information regarding this incident, please contact the Lafayette Fire Department or Lafayette Crime Stoppers at 232-TIPS.
A post on the Scott Fire Department's Facebook page shows the images from the fire, which was called in Sunday afternoon near Petite and Leblanc roads in Judice.
The Judice Fire Department responded first, finding a mobile home on fire and a large grass fire spreading. Tankers from Lafayette Parish and Maurice fire departments were called in.
Judice, Scott and Milton fire departments responded to the first alarm. When the second alarm went out, firefighters from Broussard,
Carencro, Duson, Youngsville, Lafayette, Maurice, Indian Bayou and Meaux NuNez responded, the post states.
Here's the post:
