Last week, State Fire Marshal (SFM) investigators closed four fire investigations with arrests including cases at a state prison, an apartment complex and a Minden brush fire.

Minden Brush Fire

On Wednesday, April 8, Webster Fire District #10 was called to the 1300 block of Blue Run Road in Minden for a report of a brush fire threatening an occupied home. Suspicious circumstances led to a request for SFM deputies to investigate the case. Following a scene examination and interviewing witnesses, 41-year-old Sarah Faye Dance was arrested for Aggravated Arson, Domestic Abuse Battery and Criminal Damage to Property.

Acadia Parish Apartment Fire

SFM deputies have charged 33-year-old Lesha Clark with Aggravated Arson in connection with an apartment fire that took place on Easter Sunday. The call came in to Acadia Parish Fire Department District 11 around 2:45 p.m. to respond to the 100 block of Kathy Meadows Road in Crowley. While there were families inside of multiple units at the time of the fire, the damage was contained to one unit, and no one was injured.  

Allen Correctional Center Fires

Two days later, on Tuesday, April 7, staff at Allen Correctional Center requested SFM deputies following a fire at the prison in Kinder. No one was hurt during the incident. The investigation determined inmate Jovhan Lane, 24, intentionally set a fire in his cell and he is now facing a new charge of Aggravated Arson.

Later that evening, another fire occurred in the same cell block, but a different tier. Again, no one was injured. An investigation into this incident determined two inmates, Kejorium McKnight (27) and Deon Sampson (32) were responsible for a fire in their cell. They are each facing one count of Aggravated Arson.

The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office reminds the public that anyone with information regarding fire-related crimes is encouraged to submit an anonymous tip by visiting lasfm.org and selecting the “Arson Fires” icon.