Winnfield Fire Department sources have confirmed that the blaze that demanded Delta Tire at 702 E. Lafayette Street in Winnfield on Monday evening, July 22, is currently under investigation by the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s office to determine cause.

Asst. Fire Chief Cassidy Martin said the department received the call at 7:40 p.m. from City Police Lt. Charles Curry who had spotted smoke around the building as he drove over the five-land overpass and reported that the business was on fire.

“We dispatched five units and 12 people and when we arrived the building was in fact on fire.  We were able to make entry and begin fire suppression.”  He explained that one of the units was Ladder Truck No. 1 which allowed firefighters to cut a hole in the roof to expel smoke and hot gases from the building, allowing safer access by firefighters.

“Fire crews were able to get the fire out fairly quickly,” Cassidy said.  “Once the fire was out, we contacted the state Fire Marshal’s Office.  This is standard to determine cause.  The scene was secured by the Winnfield Police Department and the Winnfield Fire Department and the Fire Marshal’s Office dispatched personnel to being the investigation.”

He confirmed that damage to the property was extensive.

It was on December 17 last year that Delta Tire suffered an earlier fire loss.