LAFAYETTE, La. (KPLC) - Fire officials are investigating a late-night mobile home fire that claimed the life of a 74-year-old woman and her two dogs.
Around 11:36 p.m. Tuesday (May 5), the Lafayette Fire Department (LFD) responded to a fire on Eraste Landry Road near Oak Park Drive, LFD said. Firefighters learned an elderly person, later identified as Helen Melancon, was possibly in the home.
Crews entered the smoke-filled home and discovered the fire was contained to a bedroom, LFD said. After the fire was put out, Melancon was found in the bedroom. Two family dogs also died.
The fire department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire originated in the bed, and was “most likely related to a cigarette,” LFD said.
While investigators say Melancon was known to smoke in bed, the Lafayette Parish Coroner’s Office is investigating her cause of death.
Melancon lived in the home with her adult son, who was not at home during the fire, LFD said.