Crews battle massive flames at vacant home with history of squatting

Firefighters in Baton Rouge are investigating a significant blaze at a vacant home on Prescott Road near Plank Road, which authorities believe was intentionally set. The fire broke out early Sunday morning, March 30, and firefighters received a call about the flames around 6:45 a.m.

Upon arrival, the fire crews prioritized protecting nearby residences while working to control the fire. Their efforts came after a previous call to the same location just hours earlier, where investigators discovered evidence suggesting an attempted arson.

Officials confirmed that the home, which has a history of squatting, was unoccupied at the time of the fire. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries related to the incident.

As the investigation continues, authorities are seeking assistance from the public. Anyone with information regarding the arson is encouraged to contact the Capital Region Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.

The swift response from the fire department helped to mitigate potential damage to surrounding homes, underscoring the importance of community vigilance in such incidents.