LAFAYETTE PARISH, LA— Firefighters responded to a commercial fire alarm at Scott Oaks Plaza on Monday morning after a fire broke out in a restroom at Acadiana Jiu Jitsu, located inside the Piggly Wiggly Shopping Center.
The Scott Fire Department arrived at the scene at 5511 Cameron Street around 11:45 AM, where they discovered water flowing from the building’s sprinkler system. The sprinklers had already activated and contained the fire before the firefighters arrived. To prevent any further damage, fire crews quickly shut off the water supply.
Upon investigation, officials determined that a malfunctioning sauna heating element was the cause of the fire. Fortunately, the sprinkler system’s quick response helped limit the damage and prevent what could have been a much more serious situation.
This incident highlights the critical role of fire sprinklers in protecting commercial and residential buildings from fire hazards. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, fire sprinklers, along with smoke alarms, can reduce fire-related deaths by as much as 82%. The timely activation of the sprinklers at Scott Oaks Plaza underscores the importance of having these safety systems in place.
No injuries were reported, and the building suffered minimal damage thanks to the swift actions of both the sprinkler system and the responding firefighters.