This is an updated story of a fire accident that happened in November 2025.
Lafayette, LA (March 3, 2026) – A man who died in a fire at a vacant hotel along NE Evangeline Thruway in Lafayette in late November has now been identified by officials.
Emergency units responded to the fire on Friday, November 28, at the former La Quinta Hotel located along the busy corridor. Reports indicated flames were visible from the roof, and heavy fire was burning on the second floor when crews arrived.
Responders worked for about 30 minutes to bring the blaze under control. At least 10 rooms inside the building sustained damage during the incident.
During the response, firefighters located a man inside one of the damaged rooms. Authorities later identified him as 28-year-old Levi Sahn, originally from North Dakota, who had reportedly been living in Lafayette for around eight months.
Officials said the room where Sahn was discovered was believed to have been occupied by homeless individuals at the time of the fire. The origin of the blaze was traced to a second-floor room where he was found.
The Lafayette Parish Coroner’s Office ruled Sahn’s death accidental. The cause was determined to be inhalation of combustion products, commonly known as smoke inhalation.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire, and more details will be released as soon as they become available.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
Why Smoke Inhalation Is Often the Leading Cause of Death in Structure Fires
In many building fires, smoke inhalation causes more fatalities than burns. When materials inside a structure burn, they release a mixture of gases, particles, and toxic chemicals into the air. Breathing these substances can quickly affect a person’s ability to think clearly and escape.
Carbon monoxide is one of the most common dangers in fire smoke. This gas reduces the body’s ability to carry oxygen through the bloodstream. Even short exposure can lead to confusion, unconsciousness, or death in enclosed spaces.
Fires inside abandoned or vacant buildings can present additional hazards. These structures may lack working alarms, sprinklers, or other safety systems that help alert occupants early.
Thick smoke can also spread quickly through hallways and rooms, reducing visibility and making exits harder to locate. In many cases, the toxic atmosphere develops long before flames reach a person inside the structure.
