Arson possible in fire that destroyed fishing pier in Pointe-aux-Chenes, authorities say

Keith Magill, The Courier
·2 min read

Authorities are investigating a fire that destroyed a newly completed public fishing pier in Pointe-aux-Chenes.

The fire is being investigated as a possible arson, said Lt. Col. Terry Daigre of the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office.

The pier, about a mile off Island Road in the Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area, is among a dozen in a project the state completed last year using $5 million from its settlement with BP over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

A fishing pier in Pointe-aux-Chenes was destroyed by fire.
A fishing pier in Pointe-aux-Chenes was destroyed by fire.

Parish President Gordy Dove said photos from the scene indicate arson is a strong possibility.

"I believe it had to be an accelerant to burn the pilings all the way to the water like that," Dove said. "It's just sad whoever did it, and they ought to be ashamed of themselves and they need to go to jail for that."

More: Fishing piers and related upgrades progress in Pointe-aux-Chenes

The Sheriff's Office was alerted Thursday morning, and it was not immediately clear when the fire started, authorities said.

The Sheriff's Office and the state Fire Marshal's Office are investigating.

The fishing pier is part of a larger project started in 2020 and completed earlier this year. Money for the project comes from the state's settlement with BP over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Construction of the piers, along with upgraded boat launches along Island Road and other improvements in the Wildlife Management Area, was led by the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries maintains the facilities.

It's among 23 public recreation projects across Louisiana's coast that in 2018 received a combined $60 million from the BP settlement. The money was specifically set aside by state and federal authorities for recreational areas closed to the public during cleanup.

— Courier and Daily Comet Executive Editor Keith Magill can be reached at 857-2201 or keith.magill@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @CourierEditor.

This article originally appeared on The Courier: New Pointe-aux-Chenes public fishing pier destroyed by fire