Fire calls involve various calls including two missing walkers

By: CARISSA HEBERT

Managing Editor

The Ville Platte Fire Department had several calls during the last two weeks. Some of those calls were in District Two, Ward One’s area.

Fire calls included:

•On March 16, the department responded to an alarm activation at Johnny Thomas’ apartment at Village de Memoire. The alarm was checked. Three trucks and 23 firefighters answered the call, which was given at 8:37 p.m. The last truck returned to the station at 9:01 p.m.

The stove hood caused smoke in the home of Shelton Doucet at 420 W. Oak March 16. There was light damage to the hood and cord on the stove, which was unplugged by firefighters. The owner was advised to have it checked. Three trucks and 23 firefighters responded at 9:01 p.m. The last truck returned at 9:31 p.m.

•On March 18, first responders were sent to Nettie Brown’s home at 4118 Chataignier Road at 11:23 a.m.. Six firefighters assisted Acadian Ambulance at 11:23 a.m.

Chester Sylvester’s land on Indian Hills Road was on fire when firefighters arrived at 5:24 p.m. March 18. Two trucks from Ville Platte, two trucks from Faubourg and one truck from Belaire Cove responded with 18 firefighters. They remained on the scene until 6:16 p.m.

Another call on the 18th was at Leon Landreneau’s residence on Bobby Joe Road. This was a mutual aid call to Mamou. Two trucks responded at 1:32 p.m. to assist with an attic fire, which appeared to be electrical in nature.

•On March 19, an alarm activation at Joe Sylvester’s residence, 317 Southwest Railroad sounded at 4:35 p.m. Four trucks and nine firefighters responded. The house was being worked on.

•On March 20, the department returned to the Sylvester residence at 6:56 a.m. Nine firefighters and three trucks responded. The alarm malfunctioned.

Two trucks from Ville Platte and two trucks from Chataignier answered a bomb threat at Chataignier Elementary March 20, at 11:03 a.m. The grounds were secured, and the school was checked. Thirteen firefighters responded.

A car fire under the hood caused some concern March 20, at the home of Laura Celestine, 5710 Thomas St., Chataignier. Seventeen firefighters responded at 2:53 p.m. with three trucks.

•Another grass fire was reported on Indian Hills Road March 21, at 4:28 p.m. Sixteen firefighters and two trucks from Faubourg, two from Ville Platte and one from Belaire Cove responded at 4:28 p.m.

•Smoke in the building at First Baptist Church in Chataignier was reported March 22, Three trucks from Ville Platte were sent when the call was cancelled. One truck from Chataignier responded to the call. The occupants were advised to contact an electrician. Sixteen firefighters and two trucks from Chataignier responded at 11:43 a.m.

•On March 23, firefighters responded to the smell of smoke at Sherreal Rideau’s residence, 612 E. Desota, at 3:49 a.m. Everything was checked, and firefighters advised the occupant to contact an electrician. Seven firefighters responded.

•Ward Five and the Ville Platte Fire Department were called to duty, along with game wardens and the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office, Sunday, March 23, when two young girls failed to return from their walk at Chicot State Park on one of the trails. Many volunteers, utilizing four wheelers and vehicles, searched for the girls The call was made at 9:38 p.m., and firefighters located the two girls at 1:12 a.m. Twenty firefighters from Ville Platte responded.

•On March 24, no alarm was given at Wal-Mart when smoke was reported at 2:28 p.m. No alarm was given. Two trucks responded. The store was checked.