[StBernard] 7 arrested after fire destroys LeBeau Plantation

Westley Annis westley at da-parish.com
Sat Nov 23 22:24:11 EST 2013


7 arrested after fire destroys LeBeau Plantation

Updated: Nov 22, 2013 7:15 PM CST
Written by: Wire and Staff Reports

ARABI, La. - Seven people have been arrested in connection with a fire that
destroyed the LeBeau Plantation house in St. Bernard Parish.


Sheriff Jimmy Pohlmann said the suspects are believed to have been smoking
marijuana and drinking in the vacant house when the fire broke out at about
2 a.m. Friday. St. Bernard Parish Fire Chief Thomas Stone said the building
was fully engulfed in flames when he arrived on the scene.

Arrested are: Dusten Davenport, 31, of Fort Worth, Texas, booked with arson,
simple burglary and criminal damage over $50,000; Joshua Briscoe, 20, of
Grand Prairie, Texas, booked with arson, simple burglary and criminal damage
over $50,000; Joseph Landin, 20, of Grand Prairie, Texas, booked with arson,
simple burglary and criminal damage over $50,000; Jerry Hamblen, 17, booked
with arson, simple burglary and criminal damage over $50,000; Joshua Allen,
21, of Grand Prairie, Texas, booked with arson, simple burglary and criminal
damage over $50,000; Kevin Barbe, 20, of Arabi, booked with accessory to
arson and criminal trespassing; and Bryon Meek, 29, of Gretna, booked with
accessory to arson.

St. Bernard Sheriff's Office Col. John Duran said the men were apparently
looking for ghosts at the mansion, which has long been the subject of ghost
stories in St. Bernard.


"This is a devastating loss to the community," Stone said. "It's a fire
chief's worst nightmare."

Stone grew up near the area. He said the property has been vacant for years.
Only four chimneys were left standing once firefighters got the flames under
control. Collapse zones were set up around the structure to keep responders
safe.

No injuries were reported.

The Lebeau Plantation was built in the 1850s. It was once a hotel and was
being considered for renovation. The Sugar Festival was held there each
fall.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may
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