Louisiana
Ambassador Pizza Hut Catches Fire on Sunday
LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) – Lafayette firefighters worked to put out a blaze at a local Pizza Hut franchise early Sunday morning.
The commercial fire was reported around 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning, and firefighters arrived to find that flames were venting through the building’s roof.
Their crews entered the building and discovered the fire spreading in a space just above the ceiling. Firefighters battled the fire for about half an hour, a statement explained, before getting it under control. The building sustained heavy fire damage.
However, it wasn’t the fire time the crew was called out to the building.
Lafayette Fire Department Logo
“Fire crews responded to Pizza Hut earlier at 9:14 pm to a report of smoke coming from air conditioning vents,” a department press release stated. “The employees called 911 to report the smell and light haze in the business. Emergency crews examined the HVAC system and turned the power off to one of the units. The restaurant was cleared.”
Fire Safety In Restaurants
Accidents at restaurants can always happen, but there are plenty of ways that buildings can keep those accidents to a minimum.
Ensuring fire safety in a restaurant is crucial for the well-being of customers, staff, and the establishment itself. First and foremost, regularly inspect and maintain all fire detection and suppression systems, including smoke alarms, sprinklers, and fire extinguishers. Conduct routine staff training on emergency procedures, emphasizing evacuation routes and the proper use of fire extinguishers.
Maintain a clutter-free environment by regularly cleaning and organizing kitchen areas. Ensure that cooking equipment is in good working order and regularly serviced. Avoid overloading electrical outlets and keep flammable materials away from heat sources.
Implement strict protocols for the storage and disposal of flammable materials, such as cooking oils and cleaning agents. Regularly inspect and clean ventilation systems to prevent grease buildup, a common cause of kitchen fires.
Have a designated smoking area away from the building, and enforce a strict no-smoking policy in kitchen and storage areas. You should also regularly check and maintain all gas lines and equipment.
Institute a routine fire drill schedule to ensure all staff are familiar with emergency procedures.
Lastly, stay informed about local fire safety regulations and codes, and make necessary updates to the restaurant’s safety measures accordingly. Prioritizing these measures can significantly reduce the risk of fires and promote a safe dining environment.
The KPEL News Team is working to provide additional coverage for Acadiana. Updates will be shared as they become available, so download the KPEL News app via Google Play or in the App Store and subscribe to breaking news alerts to get the latest information sent directly to your mobile device.
You can also use the KPEL app to submit a news tip, share a traffic update, or chat directly with our on-air team.
Be sure to bookmark our latest site, wearelafayette.net, where we provide more local news coverage as well as lifestyle and community features.
To report errors, omissions, or other concerns regarding the content above, send emails to news@kpel965.com.
The Top 5 Worst-Rated Pizzas in America
Louisiana
Louisiana Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Jan. 13, 2026
The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 13, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Jan. 13 drawing
16-40-56-64-66, Mega Ball: 04
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Jan. 13 drawing
5-8-4
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Jan. 13 drawing
1-7-5-0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from Jan. 13 drawing
5-9-5-1-1
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Louisiana Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Louisiana Lottery offices. Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at Lottery office.
By mail, follow these instructions:
- Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
- Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
- Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
- Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.
Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:
Louisiana Lottery Headquarters
555 Laurel Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:
555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.
When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
- Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
- Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Louisiana
Louisiana employment remains above 2 million for record-setting stretch
What was once a difficult benchmark for Louisiana’s job market could become the new normal, according to an analysis from Leaders for a Better Louisiana.
Louisiana employment has topped 2 mil…
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Louisiana
Scam calls surge in Louisiana with over 50 million targeting residents in December
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Louisiana residents received over 50 million scam calls in December, according to new statistics from the spam blocking app TrueCaller, showcasing an alarming increase in unwanted calls month by month.
The app identified over 2.5 billion spam calls nationwide in December, with Louisiana residents specifically targeted by over 58 million scam calls and over 3 million scam texts during the month.
“It’s insane, so I don’t get my number out anymore,” said Peter Simon, a local shopper.
Technology makes scams more sophisticated
Carmen Million with the Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana said new technology and artificial intelligence make it easier for scammers to contact consumers.
“Technology is with us. And where we could tell consumers where to look out, what warning signs to look out for these scams, you know, the new AI has made it easier for these scammers to make it look really valid. And it can dupe some consumers into believing that they’re a legitimate cause when in case it’s a scam,” Million said.
Scammers use various tactics to trick people and steal information, money, and focus from their targets.
“There was one, like, cruises for a lot. And then there was a lot of political ones that were surprising,” Simon said.
Patricia Martinez, another shopper, expressed concern about vulnerable populations.
“I have senior parents, too, that I feel are all so vulnerable to AI, and I see it really prevalent in social media spaces as well. So, it can create a lot of disinformation,” Martinez said.
How to avoid scam calls
The main goal is authenticity and verifying what the caller claims to represent. If a scammer claims to be from a government agency or organization, consumers should check directly with that organization or agency to see if the claims are true.
“I would tell everyone, like, take me off your list. And they were, I don’t know if that helped, but they stopped calling, so,” Simon said.
Martinez recommended researching suspicious calls online.
“I would always go and Google the sources to see if other people have spoken out about them. Social media is a great place to see where other people have maybe had these issues,” she said.
Million advised consumers to be skeptical of all unsolicited calls.
“Automatically assume it’s not valid. Investigate. And always do your homework,” she said.
The Better Business Bureau tracks scams and encourages consumers to report them anonymously on their website’s scam tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker. Million said many consumers hesitate to report scams due to embarrassment, making the anonymous reporting option vital for gathering information.
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