Blaze on  Front Street in Natchitoches on the morning of April 30 heavily damages two businesses

Story and photos by staff reporter Nora Drenner

State fire marshals are investigating a blaze that heavily damaged two buildings on the north end of  Front Street in downtown Natchitoches Thursday, April 30.

Natchitoches  Fire Chief John Wynn said the Natchitoches Police Department reported the fire about 5:30 a.m.  When fire crews arrived on  scene a short time  later, said Wynn, “the fire was going pretty good.”   The fire was under control around 7: 30 a.m., said, Wynn, however, fire crews remained on scene doing mop up until around 1 p.m.

Mayeaux’s restaurant and All Tangled Up  sustained  heavy damage, said Wynn,  and the two businesses on either side—Hello Dolly’s and  Bathhouse Soapery–  sustained smoke and water damage.  

Additionally, noted  Wynn,  the townhomes located above Hello Dolly’s and Dickens & Company sustained smoke damage and the residents inside were evacuated. No injuries were reported to fire fighters or residents.

All fire units from Natchitoches’ Central Station were called to extinguish the fire with additional crews from Natchitoches Fire District 6 called to assist.

State fire marshals  are investigating the cause of the fire, said Wynn, noting  that is a  requirement when commercial structuresburn.