Fire crews from St. Amant, Gonzales and Sorrento started off 2010 responding to a structure fire at 2:27 a.m. on New Year's in the St. Amant community. Neighbors initiated the call to Ascension 911 dispatch center stating that their was a structure at 43436 Hwy 429 engulfed in flames. There were flames coming from all doors, windows and the roof when the first crew arrived.
Hose lines were put in place and water began flowing into what appeared to be a pool house at that location, stated Chief James E. LeBlanc of the St. Amant Fire Department.
The local fire departments had to take a defensive stand and drown the fire from the outside. Ascension firefighters fought the fire for 50 minutes before it was officially deemed under control.
There were no firefighter injuries. The homeowner was away during the fire. Fire crews were able to protect the detached home and all of its contents due to aggressive firefighting tactics.
There were eight fire units from St. Amant, Gonzales and Sorrento on scene, and a ground unit from Acadian Ambulance also responded to the call.
Fire crews were on scene for several hours monitoring the debris from the structure. Fire investigators from the St. Amant Fire Department are working on a cause.
