By Joanna Brown
The Advocate
SCOTT, La. — At approximately 7:14 p.m. on Labor Day, the Scott Fire Department sped to the scene of a particularly dangerous fire near the Ile des Cannes apartment complex in Lafayette.
Located about a mile from Acadiana High School, Ile des Cannes is a predominantly low-income community made up of several blocks of buildings, immediately adjacent to a small stand of woods. A fire broke out in those woods where a homeless encampment had been erected, near the 100 block of Natchez Street in Ile des Cannes.
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According to the Scott Fire Department, they responded to reports of explosions on Monday evening. On arrival, firefighters discovered a large debris pile, including refrigerators, tires, air conditioners and other materials, which had been used to construct a 50 by 30 foot encampment where an undisclosed number of people had been living.
One occupant of the encampment was still unaccounted for when crews arrived, whereupon firefighters advanced into the debris to locate the missing person. More explosions, believed to be caused by propane tanks in the camp, rocked the area minutes later and the firefighters were forced to evacuate.
Resources from a number of area fire departments were called in, including a ladder truck and cadaver dogs, to assist with fire suppression and the search for the potential victim. At that time, crews confirmed that the missing individual had been located and was safe, according to the Scott Fire Department.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and no firefighter or civilian injuries were reported. Tanker support to suppress the fire and sustain a water flow rate of 1,500 gallons per minute was provided by the fire departments of Scott, Duson, Carencro, Mire, Broussard and Youngsville, with additional firefighters from Duson and Judice.
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