SCOTT, La. — Investigators have determined the cause of the fire last night which destroyed an abandoned home and left an occupied home with moderate heat damage.
As a result of the high winds last night, energized power lines became entangled in a large tree in the yard of the home. The wires then shorted out and began to arc, starting a fire where the power lines attached to the home.
The fire was ruled accidental in nature, caused by a weather event.
On Monday, March 13, 2023, at 2 am, the Scott Fire Department responded to a residential fire in the 100 block of Maywood Street.
According to Fire Chief Chad P. Sonnier, dispatched firefighters observed a home completely engulfed in flames. A neighboring home was also being threatened due to strong winds.
Neighbors informed emergency responders that the home had been vacant for some time. Firefighters began taking measures to protect the neighboring home. The fire was quickly brought under control once additional crews in the parish arrived on scene, says Chief Sonnier.
The neighboring home sustained moderate heat damage. The home in which the fire originated in, however, is a complete loss.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing, authorities say. No firefighters or civilians were injured as a result of the incident.
Units from Duson, Carencro and Lafayette responded to assist.
