By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — An “active investigation into an intentionally set” fire is under way in LaPlace, according to Deputy Chief Brant L. Thompson of the Louisiana Fire Marshal’s Office.

The Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating an Oct. 22 fire set in a vacant duplex located in the LaPlace Oaks public housing complex. No one was injured in the fire.

According to St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office records, calls were made to report a structure fire coming from a building at Joe Parquet Circle in LaPlace around 9:30 p.m. Oct. 22.

Thompson said another smaller fire was reported in some brush near the St. John Parish Housing Authority buildings before the structure fire, and Sheriff’s Office call records indicate a time of approximately 7:30 p.m. for reports of that fire.

“With dry conditions, it is possible (the brush fire) could have been accidentally set with smoking materials,” Thompson said.

Fire Marshal investigators are working to determine if the fires are connected, as well as “a few fires in the area” over the last few months, Thompson said.

The Fire Marshal’s Office is responsible for statewide investigations of fire deaths or “fires of suspicious origins,” Thompson said, adding the length of the investigation in LaPlace “depends on information available and evidence collected on the scene.”

He said video surveillance footage from Housing Authority cameras, as well as other cameras in the area, are being reviewed for information that could lead to the capture of the person or persons responsible.

Residents with information about the fires can contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 1-866-946-1097. Tips can also be submitted at lasfm.org/ars_hottip.htm.

All tips can remain anonymous.