Man already in jail for arson accused of starting jailhouse fire

Posted: Nov 26, 2012 11:54 AM by KATC
Updated: Nov 26, 2012 1:53 PM

An inmate being held on charges of Arson from a Thanksgiving Eve fire in Broussard was able to start a fire in a first floor cell at the Lafayette Parish Jail Monday morning.

Sidney Syon, 28 years old, set his sheets and blanket on fire. He suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation and is being treated at a local hospital. Investigators did recover a lighter in the cell but how the inmate came into possession of the lighter remains under investigation.

A joint investigation by the Lafayette Fire Arson Investigation Unit and LPSO is underway once Syon is medically cleared for incarceration an additional charge of aggravated arson will be added.

No other injuries were reported and the facility suffered no damage. LPCC has returned to normal operating conditions at this point.