Mandeville house burns; threatens nearby homes

Mandeville fire crews found themselves battling the flames and intense heat of a small structure fire about 2 a.m. Sunday morning. The fire was extinguished before spreading to nearby homes.

Neighbor Charles Larmeu woke Sunday morning to a blinding light emanating through his bedroom window.

To his astonishment, the house next door at 1903 Destin St. was engulfed in flames.

After phoning authorities, Mandeville’s Fire Protection District 4 arrived and began a defensive attack on the flames.

“It was completely engulfed when we got there,” Chief Rick Tassin said.

The small, nearly 600-square-foot structure was totally destroyed when crews arrived, Tassin said.

The heat radiating from the flames was so intense, fire crews took preemptive measures to keep the adjacent homes from catching on fire.

About 15 minutes after arriving, crews extinguished the flames, preventing the nearby structures from receiving any damage.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, Tassin said, adding the renters nor the owner could be reached but neighbors said the occupants were home earlier in the day.

Two engines, three chief vehicles, one rescue vehicle, two ambulances and 20 firefighters were dispatched to fight the flames.