LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – The Lafayette Fire Department (LFD) is on the scene of a fire at the St. Francis Motel in Lafayette.

LFD said that authorities responded to the motel, located at 1604 N University Ave., around 11:15 a.m. on Feb. 19.

Eyewitnesses say the smoke was so heavy it looked dark outside. Wilfred Felix Jr. said he initially thought the smoke was coming from his home.

 “I saw it was getting darker outside and I was washing dishes. all of a sudden it just got dark, opened the door, I seen the smoke from the side, and I originally thought it was coming from the house. and the once I seen it come from the vents on the other side of the fence, I kind of announced and woke my pops up from his nap,” Felix said.

The fire was put out and there were no injuries. However another witness, Rickey Hardy said the motel catching fire brought attention to the placement of fire hydrants in the area and how it needs improving.

“However, the issue is that you have a fire hydrant right there in the back of us, but it’s not marked with a blue marker on it, the reflector,” Hardy said.

Officials with the Lafayette fire department said the investigation is still under way.