[StBernard] Early morning apartment fire in Chalmette leaves 19 families homeless

[Westley Annis]

Early morning apartment fire in Chalmette leaves 19 families homeless
By Martha Carr, The Times-Picayune 
November 16, 2009, 6:45AM

Three apartment buildings near Plantation Drive and Palm Avenue in Chalmette
caught fire early this morning, leaving 19 families homeless in one of the
largest blazes in St. Bernard's recent history, according to fire department
officials. 

Every truck and on-duty firefighter was dispatched to the 3-alarm fire, said
Kristy Artus, fire communications officer. The department also sent out 19
off-duty firefighters. Red Cross is also on the scene. 

A local television station is reporting that the fire began in an abandoned
building and that officials believe it could have been set by an arsonist. 

Artus, however, said details about the nature of the blaze will be released
after the fire is extinguished. As of 7 a.m., the blaze was under control
but not out, she said.