Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, Natchitoches Parish Fire District #1 with mutual aid assistance from Natchitoches Parish Fire Districts #4, #6, and #9 responded to 911 reports of a structure fire June 14 at 8:31 pm in the 500 block of Hwy. 495 in Cloutierville, according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies say upon their arrival the unoccupied residence reportedly over 100 years old was fully engulfed in flames.
Multiple fire units attempted to contain the fire for over two hours, however, the structure was a total loss.
There were no reported injuries.
SWEPCO also responded to the scene with electricity reportedly out in the Cloutierville area, which was restored at 11 pm.
Deputies say at this time, they are attempting to verify the current owner of the residence who is believed to live in Baton Rouge area.
This residence is where the late Natchitoches Mayor Joe Sampite grew up.
The preliminary cause of the fire is currently unknown although residents in the area reported a thunderstorm containing thunder and lightening strikes in the area on Wednesday afternoon that caused electrical outages.
Sheriff Victor Jones who responded to the scene, expressed his appreciation to Fire Districts #4, #6 and #9 who responded to assist Fire District #1 in an effort to contain the fire and protect nearby structures”.
I spent many a happy day in that house with Ms. Leona Sampite and several nights. It was a grand old home and I can still see the peppers drying upstairs on screens that she had red pepper ground from. I still have a tad left in a bottle. I surely do miss that family and especially Ms. Leona. She always told me I was the daughter she never had.
Ain’t it Cloutierville. Ain’t it unfortunate. I’ve heard quite a bit about that house.