Louisiana Man Arrested for Allegedly Burning Down a Vacant Home

A Louisiana man is in trouble with the law after officials say he is the person allegedly responsible for setting a vacant home on fire.

According to the Louisiana Fire Marshal, Ed Branch, the 36-year-old man was booked into jail after the fire starting around six o'clock in the morning on Monday, April 14.

What Details Are Known About The Fire?

Officials say Jessie Collson was living on the property where the home was located.

They say he was using a lean-to that was up against the back of the house.

Collson is alleged to have started a fire in the lean-to, but then it got out of control. The fire then consumed the house.

What Charges Is The Man Facing?

According to Branch's office, the man was booked into the Iberia Parish Jail on the following charges:

• Aggravated Arson
• Criminal Trespass

What Other Details About The Case Are Known?

According to officials, Collson is from Franklin, but the home that was impacted by the fire was located at 1703 Juanita Street in New Iberia.

The fire ended up being out of control and the whole house was engulfed in flames by the time firefighters responded to the scene.

The investigation is ongoing.

What Is The Arson Hotline?

Officials with the Louisiana Fire Marshal's Office want Louisiana residents to know that there is a way to report the information if they are suspicious of a fire that happened at a home or business.

Anyone can call the Arson Hotline at 1-844-954-1221 to share information with authorities. You will remain anonymous.

Another option for anonymously giving information to officials is to use the State Fire Marshal's website, which is lasfm.org.

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