St. Rose resident recounts ‘horrifying’ blaze set near his house
Recounting a Christmas bonfire that burned 25 feet high and only 75 feet from his front door in St. Rose, the St. Charles Parish Council supported a St. Rose man’s request to beef up the parish’s burn ordinance.
“What I got for Christmas was three days of cleaning,” said Stephen Hafkesbring. “It’s dangerous. People can die. Your house can burn down.”
Hafkesbring said last year’s fire was frightening.“It became enormous and out of control,” he said. “I hope to God I don’t have to deal with what I dealt with last year. It as horrifying.”
The blaze cast heavy smoke and ash that made visiting family leave, he said.
The council voted unanimously for the move with Councilwoman Julia Fisher-Perrier absent at Monday’s council meeting.Introduced by Councilman Paul Hogan, the revised Chapter 11 Health & Sanitation, Article III ordinance now regulates open outdoor burning to provide restrictions on campfires, bonfires and “other fires.”
The ordinance states bonfires are allowed on private property with the owner’s permission and provided it isn’t less than 150 feet from a structure on adjacent properties.
They are no longer allowed less than 50 feet from any adjacent property line of property with a structure. In both cases, a lesser distance is allowed with written permission from the adjoining property owner.
They are still also allowed if they in no way endanger neighboring property, and prevailing wind doesn’t carry smoke to neighboring properties and buildings.
Violators are guilty of a misdemeanor and fined $100 to $500.
Hafkesbring appealed for restrictions on the bonfires, saying when they complained about this fire burning so high and hot next to his residence last year that deputies told him nothing could be done because there were no restrictions to enforce.
Because of the wind blowing in his direction, the fire sent burning embers on his house and smoke saturated the interior contents of his house.
“It smelled like a fire pit,” Hafkesbring said. “I ask you to consider the plight of the neighbors of these things. What I’m definitely asking for is some regulations. It should be safe distance away.”
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