Edgard fire starts arson probe

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 23, 2006

By KERI CHAMPION

Staff Reporter

EDGARD – Police are investigating a suspected arson at a residence on West Third Street in Edgard set on Saturday.

&#8220The home and its surrounding property was doused with gasoline and diesel and then set on fire,” said Mike Tregre, spokesperson for St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Edgard Fire Chief Helmond Lumar said that the owner of the home and his wife smelled smoke coming outside and went to see what was burning.&#8220 The wife smelled smoke from the bedroom and woke her husband, who went to find the fire and found his house burning.

&#8220He was able to extinguish most of the flames with a garden hose,” Lumar said. &#8220There was no interior damage to the house.”

St. John Sheriff’s Office and the State Fire Marshal are investigating the case. &#8220There are no suspects in the case at this time,” said Tregre.