The Lake Charles Fire Department responded to a fire at the Place Vendome Apartments on Prejan Rd. off 5th street Sunday night around 5 p.m. That was the fourth fire they’ve had put out at these apartments since they were abandoned after Hurricane Laura.
The first fire was on Nov. 22, 2020, the second on May 24, 2021, and the third on June 1, 2021.
Captain Jeremy Leblanc with Lake Charles Fire Prevention Bureau has been working to investigate the string of fires.
“We had a total of nine units respond to this fire last night. No firemen were injured, yet this is a place that we should not be responding to,” Leblanc said.
The apartment was damaged in the hurricane and never re-opened to residents. It is without electricity and running water and is not safe for anyone to be living in.