From State Fire Marshal report
The Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal was contacted by the Eunice Fire Department late Sunday evening, June 2, to assist in determining the origin and cause of a house fire in the 100 block of College Road in Eunice.
The fire had been called in to the fire department just before 9:30 p.m.
Investigators determined there were two areas of origin, a room on the north end of the structure and a bedroom. The fire was classified as incendiary.
The home was being rented to a female tenant, who had been the tenant for the past year. However, that tenant reported recently breaking up with her boyfriend and telling him as recently as last Friday to come get his things from her residence. The tenant was not at the home at the time of the fire.
Two witnesses reported seeing someone at and/or near the home just before the fire. Area surveillance video confirmed the witness accounts and led to the identity of a suspect, who is the tenant’s ex-boyfriend.
There is an active warrant out for that suspect’s arrest for simple arson and criminal trespassing.
Investigators have identified a second potential suspect and are seeking that person out for an interview.
We’d like to remind the public about our Hot Tip line for information about arsons. The can report tips anonymously by phone by calling 1-866-946-1097 or online at sfm.dps.louisiana.gov.
