Two Houma parade floats caught fire during the 2025 Mardi Gras season in the Bayou Cane Fire District. The incidents are causing officials to revisit Terrebonne fire safety ordinances. Roughly half of Houma parades run through Bayou Cane Fire District Chief Ken Himel’s district, and this year the Terreanians and Hercules parades both had fires break out on their floats.
An investigation into Michael LaRussa’s collar bursting into flames during the Krewe of Hercules parade is complete, and the investigation into the Krewe of Terreanians Float No. 7 is ongoing. Other officials are also looking into fire safety concerns around parades. According to Parish President Jason Bergeron, Terrebonne’s Mardi Gras Safety Committee members are already contacting him about discussing it at the committee’s meeting.
