Elderly Man Identified in Fatal Apartment Fire in Lafayette

69-year-old Lyle Semmens is dead after a fire Wednesday night at Mimosa Place Apartment, 155 Mimosa Place in Lafayette.

According to a press release from the Lafayette Fire Department, investigators say the fire started on the mattress in the bedroom and that a cigarette may have contributed to the cause of the fire. Neighbors called 911 when they saw heavy smoke and heard the smoke alarm coming from the downstairs apartment

Investigators are still trying to figure out the cause of the fire, what prevented Semmens from getting out of the apartment, and his cause of death as reports are pending from the Lafayette Parish Coroner's office.

Semmens was the only occupant in the apartment, which sustained heavy fire damage.