Blaze breaks out across the street from Thibodaux Fire Department banquet

Alarms went off just as the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department announced record earnings Thursday night. Then the firefighters leapt into action.

During the annual Grand Marshal's/Firemen's Appreciation Supper a check was raised showing the earnings from the Firemen's Fair: $1,343,043.72.

Almost immediately afterward, alarms sounded, and firefighters began checking their radios and leaving.

The event started at 7 p.m., and the call came in six minutes later The banquet was held at the Warren J. Harang Municipal Auditorium, and the blaze was across the street at Petsense, 347-A North Canal Blvd. The store has been closed since Hurricane Ida, but repairs were underway.

As equipment was moved into place, brown smoke seeped through the roof and could be seen through the front glass.

Firefighters cut holes into the front of the building, or fascia, to allow water to flow through, and water was pumped through the top. The surrounding storefronts were examined to ensure it hadn't spread.

Firefighters suspect it began as an electrical fire, but Chief Tony Boudreaux said an inspection would need to confirm the cause.

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Romona Lewis, a manager at the neighboring Citi Trends, called the department to report the fire.

"We just smelled smoke," she said. "I walked back there and I kept smelling smoke."

Over 50 firefighters were quickly on the scene. The St. John Volunteer Fire Department assisted.

No people or animals were harmed in the blaze.

Annual fair helps department serve community

The profits from the Firemen's Fair are a big help, Boudreaux said. The department has gone two years without holding the fair because of COVID and Hurricane Ida. 

He said the department tightened its purse strings during that time. The fair covers a little over half of the budget, and the department had to hold off on buying new equipment, including two trucks it planned to replace.

"We are reevaluating our needs of what we need for this department and what we need to protect the community," Boudreaux said.

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Grand marshals talk about what the role means

This year's grand marshal, Danny Cavell, was awarded the honorary red coat during the banquet. 

Three former grand marshals discussed the job. Mike Naquin, who served in as 2014 grand marshal, said the role primarily helps raise money for the department.

The person has to operate as a "civic leader," said Chris Riviere, who held the title in 2000.

Bryan Harang, the 2005 grand marshal, said the grans marshal has to exemplify outstanding character "because the fire department is held in such high esteem within the community."

The three told tales of how, in the past, the new grand marshal's identity was kept a secret until the person led the Firemen's Parade on horseback.

Boudreaux said department leaders decided that making the announcement earlier gives the new marshal more time to fulfill the role.

This year, breaking from tradition, Dr. Guy Zeringue III was announced as the 2023 grand marshal.