Ghost Hunters Charged with Massive Blaze That Destroyed Historic Plantation (Updated)

Ghost Hunters Charged with Massive Blaze That Destroyed Historic Plantation (Updated)

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Seven “ghost hunters” were arrested in Louisiana yesterday after accidentally setting fire to a turn-of-the-century plantation, burning it to the ground.

The suspects told police they were visiting the historic home to search for ghosts after hearing stories about the building’s alleged hauntings. Fox8 News reports that at some point during the evening the men abandoned their paranormal investigation to get fucked up on some cheap beer and dank weed. That’s when things got a little out of control.

Police responded to the scene around 2am Friday morning, but by that point the plantation was fully engulfed in flames. All 7 men, ranging between the ages of 17 and 31, were arrested and charged with arson, burglary and criminal damage over $50,000.

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Luckily, no one was harmed in the blaze.

The Lebeau Plantation was built in 1850, and during its time had served as a home, a hotel, and local festival ground. The St. Bernard Parish community is obviously devastated by the loss of history, and residents are demanding the men be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

It would be an understatement to say the situation is an unfortunate one for paranormal enthusiasts everywhere, and it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect fewer and fewer locations to allow ghost hunters on the property due to increasing “accidents” like this one.

UPDATE: Why They Firebombed the Building

Even more news about the St. Bernard Parish plantation that burned to the ground early friday morning:  the men who have been formally charged with the crime apparently set fire to the mansion because they were “frustrated” at the lack of paranormal activity taking place. Authorities have officially announced that the blaze was not an accident, but was actually intentionally started with stacks of wood.

“They were in there looking for ghosts, drinking, smoking dope, and for some reason they made a decision, a conscious decision — before they left to set this building on fire,” James Sheriff Pohlmann told local news this weekend.

The fire has left other paranormal enthusiasts furiously shaking their heads. This new information will surely continue to fuel the discussions about the responsibility “ghost hunters” should take when visiting historical sites around the country.

Is this the fault of paranormal television popularity?  What kind of responsibility do you believe people take on when they are visiting these types of historic sites, legally or otherwise?

Let us know what you think on Facebook, on twitter @WeirdHQ, or in the comments section below.


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