Kaplan firefighters battle house fire

Kaplan firefighters and police were dispatched to a house fire at 608 N. Guidry in Kaplan last night.
On arrival, a large amount of smoke coming from the residence could be seen.
Officers entered the home and removed Laquine Landry, who suffering from smoke inhalation. Landry claims to have been asleep at the time of the fire.
While Acadian ambulance was treating the individual, Landry told officers he was baby sitting five children, all of whom were still upstairs inside the residence.
Fire personnel were told of the children upstairs and immediately turned their focus to finding the children.
While firefighters were searching for the children, authorities spoke to a parent of the children and were told he had all five of his children with him out of town.
“Words cannot explain the relief that news brought to police and fire personnel,” said Chief of Police Boyd Adams.
Once the fire was put out Adams said he met with Kaplan Fire Chief Jacob Mathiew who advised his fire fighters located bottles of flammable chemicals inside the residence along with drug paraphernalia.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
State Police Haz mat will be on scene this morning to investigate further into the cause of the fire and the contents of the bottles.
“We currently have a search warrant in hand for the residence,” said Adams.
Adams said there is no danger to the public due to the chemicals. All the chemicals are contained and not a threat to anyone outside of the home.