One minute, Derion Melancon was walking across the stage at East St. John High, soaking in the moment every senior dreams about. Minutes later, a text told her that same dream day had gone sideways: her family’s Garyville home was in flames.
When Melancon and her relatives got back to the 300 block of Northwest 2nd Street, they found the house gutted. Their grandmother had to be pulled from a nearby home, but, in what feels like the only piece of good news here, no one was seriously hurt.
Fire crews with the St. John the Baptist Fire Department were dispatched Friday evening and battled the blaze for nearly two hours, according to WDSU. Officials reported no serious injuries, though family members told reporters their grandmother had to be rescued from another nearby house.
“I feel like nobody will understand the feeling of leaving your home, going to graduate, and come back to nothing,” Melancon told reporters, a line republished by WBAL. The family returned from East St. John High’s commencement to find many belongings destroyed, including the kindergarten cap and gown of Melancon’s younger brother, Dyce.
School And Charities Step In
In the middle of the chaos, the school community moved quickly. Staff at Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School arranged a replacement gown and clothes for Dyce, principal Dr. Kara Lawson told WDSU. The My Dreams Foundation, run by St. John Parish school board member Jennifer Frizzell, has provided food, toys and clothing, according to My Dreams Foundation.
How To Help
The family set up a GoFundMe titled “Rebuilding After Derion’s Graduation Day Fire,” listing Donald Melancon as organizer. It had raised several thousand dollars toward a $4,000 goal, per GoFundMe. Local coverage and school staff have linked to the campaign and are collecting drop-off donations at Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School. The fundraiser page includes photos and an organizer note about the rescue.
The St. John the Baptist Fire Department says the cause of the fire remains undetermined as investigators review the scene, and officials confirmed there were no reported injuries, according to WBAL. Neighbors and the district are helping coordinate short-term housing and support while the family begins the long process of insurance claims and recovery.
