UPDATE: Lafayette firefighters responded to the 200 block of W. Grant Street, former Coburn building, for a commercial fire at 12:56 pm today.
Drivers passing beside the vacant building reported smoke coming from the warehouses near Second Street. Firefighters entered the vacant building and discovered a small fire in one of the warehouses. The wooden floor and floor joists were on fire. Emergency crews quickly extinguished the fire. The damage was isolated to that area of the building.
There were clothing and personal care items in the building suggesting that individuals had been sleeping inside. Fire officials spoke to one person near the scene. The individual, homeless, informed officials that at least 5 people have been sleeping inside. They slept inside last night. Officials believe that a fire was started to keep warm. It was not extinguished and burned through the wooden floor.
After they were called to the scene, firefighters accessed the building and found a small fire inside. The fire has been extinguished. Damage was limited to the building where the fire started.