Zydeco’s destroyed by fire

Restaurant is a total loss

After being engulfed by flames around 4 p.m. Monday, the popular seafood restaurant Zydeco’s Cajun Restaurant in Boutte has been destroyed by fire.

By 7 p.m., Eric Zammit, emergency coordinator with the St. Charles Parish EOC, said firefighters were still at the scene and the building appeared to be a total loss.

Additional equipment was being brought in to cut through the roof to access remaining “hot spots” from the blaze, Zammit said.

Highway 90 was  closed in front of the restaurant to avoid vehicles rolling over numerous water hoses being used to extinguish the fire, but one lane was recently opened in each direction.

One witness on the scene told the St. Charles Herald-Guide that four different fire departments have responded to the fire. The restaurant was closed when the blaze began.

Authorities have not released the cause of the fire, though a storm with heavy lightning rolled through the area shortly before the fire began.

By 8 p.m. Monday, St. Charles Parish Sheriff spokesman Capt. Pat Yoes said the fire was contained, but still underway in parts of the building. Firefighters were using the additional equipment brought in to break through the roof to reach these areas.

Responding units included Paradis, Luling, Des Allemands, Hahnville and East St. Charles volunteer fire departments.

According to Zammit, the EOC is involved in or assists in all hazards in the parish, such as assisting with traffic control or getting additional equipment.