UPDATE: At 9:39 last night, Lafayette Fire Department responded to 301 Lodge Drive to a reported apartment fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke and flames coming from an upstairs apartment. The fire spread to the attic and roof area as well as the adjacent upstairs apartment. The occupants of the four-unit apartment building escaped without any injuries. The fire cause substantial damage to all four units. Firefighters battled the blazed for thirty minutes before getting it under control.

There were three families displaced as a result of the fire. The families lost practically all their belongings.

The occupant of the upstairs apartment, Ms. Casandra Senegal, stated that her boyfriend entered the apartment threatening to seriously hurt her. He began to splatter a liquid substance, believed to be gasoline, in the living room. She managed to escape the apartment without injury. Ms. Senegal and other witnesses stated that the apartment was on fire as she drove off. The boyfriend followed behind her and left the scene. This incident was the culmination of a dispute between the two which began earlier that evening.

Lafayette Fire Investigators have secured an arrest warrant for Aggravated Arson for Clayton E. Batiste, black male, 30 years of age. Clayton E. Batiste is a resident of Lafayette. Anyone having information of his whereabouts are asked to contact Crime Stoppers or Lafayette Police Department.
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The Lafayette Fire Department is investigating an apartment fire in the 300 block of Lodge Drive. The fire broke out around 9:40pm on Monday, May 17. Officials say the top floor of the complex was completely engulfed upon arrival. Ten people were inside the complex at the time of the blaze and everyone made it out safely. Investigators say the fire may be linked to an ignitable liquid that was found in the apartment. The fire is still under investigation.


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