CROWLEY - Phillip Bertrand’s work schedule and the actions of his son, Shea, prevented a tragic fire in Atwood Acres subdivision early Tuesday morning from being much worse.

“My husband had to be at work in Lafayette at 6 a.m.,” said an emotional Kayla Bertrand who runs Kayla’s Beauty Salon in Crowley. “He was leaving at about 5:30 a.m. when he ran back in and told us that the roof was on fire. We didn’t smell smoke or anything. We got up and began to round up all the kids. “

Kayla emphasized how the actions of Shea, a senior at Northside Christian High School, probably saved their 16-year-old daughter Miia.

“My little sister is a special needs person who really didn’t know what was going on at the time,” said Shea. “So I ran back in and grabbed her and pulled her out.”

Their other son, Gage, also a special needs youngster, escaped the blaze with the help of his family.

Fire departments from Crowley, Rayne, Branch and Richard were still on the scene as was Acadian Ambulance.

“We helped each other out during that Christmas tornado a few years back,” said a woman on the scene. “We will do what we can to provide this family with anything they need.”