Two Lafayette homes were damaged, but no one was injured, in an fire early this morning in the 1000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
According to Alton Trahan, PIO for Lafayette Fire Department, a passerby noticed the garage on fire and contacted 911. Firefighters responded at 4:11 to the home and found that the fire had spread to two houses, a vehicle, and a large shed.
The individual who reported the fire evacuated both residences prior to firefighters arriving on scene. The residents exited the homes without any injuries.
The owner of the home at 1006 MLK Drive, and 89-year-old female, was transported to the hospital as a precautionary measure.
Firefighters battled the blaze for twenty minutes before getting it under control. The garage was completely destroyed by the fire, and the house and vehicle where the fire started sustained heavy damage. The shed sustained moderate damage. The neighbor's dwelling sustained moderate damage to the attic and one bedroom.
The fire displaced residents of both homes, a total of eight individuals. Red Cross was contacted to assist the occupants.
Fire officials determined that fire started in a tool shed connected to the garage. Once the garage was involved, the fire spread to the two dwellings and another large shed. Fortunately, the person passing by was able to alert everyone as the fire eventually entered through the windows of both houses, where individuals were sleeping.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
