Homeowner able to return after neighbors spot fire, first responders contain blaze
PORT ALLEN — A fire on Atchafalaya Street in Port Allen was quickly contained Monday afternoon after an alert neighbor spotted the blaze and called 911, allowing fire crews to save the home with minimal damage.
Butch Browning praised both the neighbor’s vigilance and the quick response from emergency personnel.
“It was a small fire that a witness saw and called,” Browning said. “The crews got here, they were able to put it out with water cans. So really good save. Glad the neighbors were really watching what’s going on.”
Homeowner Able to Return
The swift response meant the homeowner will be able to return to the residence.
“The homeowner’s very appreciative that he’ll be able to get back in his house,” Browning said. “We just cleaned up all the smoke out of the house and made sure there’s no embers burning.”
According to witness Shontrel Whaley, who helped respond to the fire before emergency services arrived, smoke was visible but flames were limited.
“I never saw no fire, just smoke,” Whaley said. “I couldn’t find the source of no fire. There was just smoke. I just poured water to the side of it.”
Fire Progression and Investigation
The fire reportedly began inside the home and spread into the attic space. Neighbors discovered the situation and began taking action before emergency services arrived.
Whaley and other neighbors assisted in the initial response, with some working inside the home while others addressed the exterior portion of the fire.
“We put water on it right there,” Whaley said, describing the efforts to contain the blaze before it could cause more extensive damage.
Deputy Fire Chief James Hartley indicated the fire may have started in the oven and spread to the attic. “It started off in the oven and it kind of made its way up into the attic,” Hartley said. “The neighbors helped put it out.”
However, Browning said fire officials are still investigating the exact cause and origin.
“We haven’t determined that just yet. We’re still looking at that,” Browning said. “It’ll take us a little while with some reports and things, but we believe it to be accidental.”
Emergency Response
First responders arrived on scene and used water cans to fully extinguish the fire and ensure no hot spots remained that could reignite.
“The firefighters and police department did a great response,” Browning said.
The coordinated effort between neighbors and emergency services prevented what could have been significantly worse damage to the home.
No injuries were reported from the incident.
Location
The fire occurred on Atchafalaya Street in Port Allen.
This is a developing story. Additional information will be added as it becomes available.
WBR Independent provides coverage of emergency services and public safety matters affecting West Baton Rouge Parish communities.
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