Submitted by the Lafayette Fire Department
LAFAYETTE, LA (August 16, 2024) – At 11:31 p.m. on August 15, 2024, Lafayette firefighters responded to a report of smoke coming from the roof of one of the buildings at Asbury United Methodist Church campus, 101 Live Oak Boulevard. When firefighters arrived on the scene, smoke was emitting from the roof of the Youth Ministry building.
Emergency crews requested additional resources to the scene out of concern for potential fire spread and the size of the building. Firefighters discovered the fire burning in the wall of a room on the second floor. The fire penetrated through the roof of the building, causing substantial smoke and fire damage. Firefighters had the fire under control within 30 minutes.
The building was not occupied at the time of the fire. The utility services were disconnected to the Youth Ministry building due to the fire damage.
Lafayette fire investigators determined the fire was started by lightning. Lafayette experienced a severe weather event yesterday evening. Lightning strikes were witnessed in the area during the bad weather. The fire was ruled an accident.
