Squirrel may have caused fire

At 9:02 a.m. Saturday the Franklin Fire Department received a call reporting a transformer smoking at Willow Street and JA Hernandez Street.
While units were responding, 911 dispatch up-graded the call to a structure fire at 611 JA Hernandez, Fire Chief Chuck Bourgeois reported. When units arrived two minutes later, the home owned by Belinda Roberson was filled with smoke and fire.
Additional aid was called from Baldwin, Centerville, Chitimacha, District 11 and Patterson fire departments. The incident was brought under control at 10:57 a.m.
The residence suffered extensive fire, smoke, heat and water damage and is considered a total loss, the chief said. The damage is estimated at $150,000 to the home and contents.
Investigation revealed that a squirrel reportedly made a path to the ground on a primary electrical line adjacent to the residence. The squirrel was electrocuted, causing the primary line to break and fall onto the telephone lines serving the house. The telephone lines were energized, most likely contributing to the fire cause. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation and is believed to be accidental.
CLECO responded and restored power to several residences on JA Hernandez Street.