Received several eviction notices before fire
Witnesses reported seeing a St. Rose man douse a house with gasoline that soon after was engulfed in flames last Wednesday, leading to area firefighters’ three-hour fight to bring the fire under control.
Morris Paul Jr., 44, of 364 Second St. in St. Rose, was arrested and charged with aggravated arson after the house he was apparently living in burned Wednesday June 3, according to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Paul was living in the house without electricity, according to witnesses. He also had been living there despite receiving several eviction notices due to the blighted condition of the structure and code enforcement complaints, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
A Sheriff’s Office investigation determined Paul owned the house in succession with siblings.
St. Rose Fire Chief Paul Hymel said the department responded to a two-alarm fire of the single dwelling, one-story residence around 5:33 p.m. When it was determined that it was fully engulfed in flames, Hymel said they called in East St. Charles, Norco and Luling fire departments to assist.
According to Hymel, it took three hours to get the fire under control and clean up the site before calling in the Louisiana State Deputy Fire Marshal.
“Any time a house is abandoned it is protocol to call the Fire Marshal’s Office,” Hymel said.
A joint investigation by the Fire Marshal and Sheriff’s Office indicated arson was the cause of the fire and a warrant was issued for Paul’s arrest.
Judge Tim Marcel of the 29th Judicial District Court Division E issued the warrant.
Paul, located by the Sheriff’s Office and arrested, is currently being held at the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center under $300,000 bond.
He is scheduled for arraignment on July 6.
Thomas Baker contributed to the story.
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