Louisiana Man Charged With Arson At Senior Living Complex

William McBride, a 56-year-old man from Ville Platte, Louisiana, has been arrested and charged with aggravated arson for allegedly setting fire to a unit in a senior living apartment complex housing elderly and disabled residents. The fire occurred on August 1 in the 1000 block of North Reed Street, and thanks to working smoke alarms, all residents were able to evacuate safely without injury. The Ville Platte Fire Department responded quickly to the blaze, and investigators from the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire was intentionally set. McBride’s bond has been reported as $150,000 by some sources, though not all have confirmed this detail. Authorities continue to investigate the case, and the public is encouraged to provide any additional information through an arson hotline. This incident highlights the importance of functioning smoke alarms in protecting vulnerable populations in senior living facilities.