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LAPLACE — No injuries were reported after a four-unit apartment complex at 1061 Cambridge Drive in LaPlace went up in flames Tuesday night, bringing more devastation to residents in a neighborhood already heavily impacted by Hurricane Ida.

St. John Parish Fire Chief Cain Dufrene said two of the units were occupied at the time, and all of the residents had safely escaped the structure by the time fire crews arrived on scene. After receiving a 911 call around 7 p.m., crews arrived on scene and found flames spilling out of the attic and the window on the second floor.

According to testimony from neighbors, some of the occupants escaped through the second story window. Dufrene said the fire started in a kitchen area on the first floor, possibly from a stovetop. Investigating crews believe the fire was unintentional.

“The roof was tarped, so it was easy for the fire to reach through. It took about 15 minutes to get the main fire under control,” Dufrene said. “We stayed on scene until a little while later to mop up any hot spots. We had to call Entergy because there was a power pole right next to the building that took some extensive fire. They had to kill power and re-route it, so some people were out of power for a little while.”

Dufrene said Red Cross was working with the impacted residents to provide vouchers and housing assistance.

“I know, as of that night, everyone had a place to go,” Dufrene said.