Lafayette, LA – At 7:41 this morning Lafayette firefighters responded to a vacant residential fire at 612 Olivier Street. As firefighters arrived on scene, heavy smoke was coming from the rear of the dwelling. The porch was on fire and spreading to the interior. Emergency crews entered the structure to search for any occupants. It was not occupied. The fire was extinguished within 10 minutes. The rear porch and interior of the dwelling sustained moderate fire damage.
Fire investigators determined the fire was intentionally set on the rear porch. It appeared as though homeless individuals had been hanging out on the premise and sleeping on the porches at night. Investigators were able to identify the individual suspected of setting the fire. The suspect, Bradley Thibodeaux, 43, was arrested and charged with Simple Arson. He was booked into Lafayette Parish Correctional Center.