Fires not set intentionally

The last two months have been busy for members of the Jeanerette Volunteer Fire Department.

Since October, the JVFD has responded to eight major fires, with two resulting in fatalities.

The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s office is still investigating the most recent fire at Unique Creations Flowers.

Jeanerette Fire Chief Mitch Dubois said firefighters were called  just after 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 19 to Unique Creations located at 310 Louisiana Street.

Dubois said the fire was brought under control in about 45 minutes,  but the business suffered smoke and heat damage throughout.

Jessica Salcup, shop owner, and employees and customers escaped without injury.

The Iberia Parish Fire District No. 1, BOM, Lydia, Grand Marais, Coteau and Four Corners departments also responded to the fire.

The final report from the  state fire marshal’s office had not yet been released, but Dubois said there are indications it could be from an electrical cause.  

Dubois said Jeanerette residents  are expressing some concern because of the number of fires in the same vicinities in such a short period of time.

“I have business owners asking me if they should get security at night,” he said.

Four of the fires were within a two to three block area from Pellerin to Louisiana Street. Another fire, linked to  a water heater, had occurred just a few days earlier on Louisiana Street.

“There are a lot of stories going around in the last couple of days that the fires have been set intentionally, but people should not worry. There is not an arsonist going around town,” said Dubois.

“All of the fires have been pinpointed to either an electrical cause or carelessness. The state fire marshal was called in to investigate each one.”

Dubois said residents need to take extra precaution not to overload electrical outlets and  be cautious when using space heaters and electrical appliances.

“We have a lot of buildings in Jeanerette with older electrical wiring,” he said.

“This isn’t the first time that we have had this many fires in a year. It’s just that the fires have been hitting all at once.”