It was a long night for area firefighters as they were kept busy overnight with two major mobile home fires within four hours. Sunday night at 10:57 pm, Centerville Volunteer Fire Department and Franklin Fire Department were dispatched to a fully-involved mobile home fire on Caleb Lane in Verdunville. Moments later, Centerville Volunteer Fire Department requested mutual aid from Patterson Volunteer Fire Department, which also responded.
Centerville Fire Chief Randy Hanagriff told KQKI News on Monday morning that the single-dwelling home was unoccupied and was under renovations, with no power running to the home. The home was a total loss and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation. The Louisiana State Fire Marshal is scheduled to arrive at the scene today to conduct an investigation. Hanagriff said there was no damage to surrounding property. The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office and Acadian Ambulance also responded to the scene, although no injuries were reported.
As firefighters were wrapping up at the scene in Verdunville in the early hours of Monday morning, at 2:39 am, St Mary 911 dispatched Franklin Fire Department and Centerville Fire Department to a second mobile home fire on St Joseph Lane in Franklin.
Franklin Assistant Fire Chief Justin Martin said fire engine crews arrived at the scene within 5 minutes and located a mobile home with fire and smoke emitting from multiple sides of the structure.
Hose lines were deployed and crews made entry into the structure to begin extinguishing the fire, quickly bringing it under control.
A total of three engines, one rescue unit, and 15 firefighters responded to the scene. Acadian Ambulance and St Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office also remained on standby.
Martin said individuals were home at the time and escaped unharmed. No injuries were reported to civilians or fire personnel. He added that the cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Red Cross has been contacted to provide assistance to the residents.
Franklin Fire Chief Chuck Bourgeois stressed the importance of having working smoke alarms inside your home.