HARVEY, La. — A Harvey family was displaced after a fire broke out in their home around 9:30AM Sunday in the 2600 Block of Cerritas Via.
Dramatic video captured by the Harvey Volunteer Fire Department shows large flames coming from the home and billows of smoke.
The next-door neighbor, James Pace, said his home was damaged from the intense heat.
“The siding and probably the insulation board behind the siding. So far that’s all I know," Pace said.
Capt. Michael McAuliffe with Harvey Vol. Fire Co. No. 2 said he was the first to arrive to the scene.
“I arrived on the scene within two, a little bit over two minutes, and the house was already heavily involved in fire," McAuliffe said.
McAuliffe said the family initially didn't realize there was a fire and evacuated before calling 911.
“Added to the challenge because the fire got an advance," McAuliffe said.
The home did not have a smoke detector, McAuliffe said.
“There was a household pet, a dog that is unaccounted for. They may have perished in the fire. We searched and looked around for any remains and didn’t find any," McAuliffe said.
Firefighters said there was one adult and two children in the home at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported.
But as firefighters fought the blaze, they were also forced to evacuate. Moments later, the roof collapsed, McAuliffe said.
“It was a close call with the structure and the danger of it falling on firefighter staff that were still inside actively fighting the fire, and then they had to change the strategy," McAuliffe said.
Firefighters then took an ariel approach. They used a 75-foot ladder to spray water on top of the home.
15 firefighters and 90 minutes later, the fire was out. However, the damage left behind is extensive.
“They’re very nice people. It’s just a shame that it happened," Pace said.
The family is receiving assistance from the Red Cross while they are displaced, Harvey Fire said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, McAuliffe said.
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