A Lafayette teen has been arrested in connection with a house fire on Verot School Road today.
Firefighters were called to a home in the 2800 block at about 7 a.m. Thursday. A person stopped at the fire station and said that smoke was coming out of a house. When they arrived, firefighters found the back of the house on fire. They were able to put it out within five minutes. The home sustained moderate damage to the exterior, a spokesman said.
One adult was home at the time, but they were able to exit the building without any injuries, the spokesman said.
Lafayette fire investigators determined multiple fires were set on the exterior of the dwelling. While investigating this incident, a nearby business owner informed fire officials that someone attempted to set their building on fire as well. That building sustained minor damage. Investigators determined the two incidents were related. The cause of the fires was intentional, the spokesman.
During the course of the investigation, a suspect was identified. The suspect, a 16-year-old male, was arrested and booked with one count of Aggravated Arson and one count of Simple Arson.
The investigation into the fires is ongoing, the spokesman said.
