LAFAYETTE, La. (Dec. 27, 2023) – Lafayette firefighters responded to an apartment fire in the 100 block of Hummingbird Lane around 8:12 p.m. on December 26, 2023. An occupant of one of the four apartments called 911 to report smoke from her HVAC vents. Firefighters arrived on the scene and began searching for the fire. The fire was discovered between the ceiling and subfloor of the upstairs apartment. Emergency crews were able to extinguish the fire within fifteen minutes. The void space between the two apartments sustained heavy fire damage. The first-floor apartment sustained water and smoke damage. As a result of the fire damage, two apartments were no longer habitable.
The occupant who reported the fire indicated she was asleep when the smoke alarm activated. She noticed smoke coming from the vents in her bedroom. Shortly after, flames were emitting through the vents. She immediately called 911 and alerted the other occupants of the adjoining apartments. No one was injured.
Fire officials determined the fire originated in the void space above the HVAC system. The heater was “on” at the time of the fire. An apparent malfunction within the heating components contributed to the fire. The cause of the fire was ruled an accident.
