Section 44:301 - Pending proceedingsWhere any original papers appertaining to a suit pending in any district court have been or may hereafter be destroyed by the burning of the courthouse of the parish, or destroyed in any other manner, the suits, together with all the papers, pleadings, bonds and other documents filed therein and making part thereof, may be revived and reinstated by either plaintiff or defendant as follows:
(1) By filing with the clerk of court a duly certified copy of the original petition, or by motion in open court, or in chambers, served on the opposite party, which motion shall contain the name and residence of the parties, the nature of the demand and cause of action, and the date of the filing of the original petition and service of citation, as near as can be ascertained, together with a statement of the pleading had in the suit, orders made and bonds filed, accompanied by affidavit of the parties, or their attorneys, as to the truth of facts allowed. Upon filing the motion a rule may be taken on the opposite party to show cause, within ten days from the service thereof, why the suit, pleadings, orders of court and bonds should not be reinstated.(2) If answer is made to the rule it shall be accompanied by the affidavit of the party or his attorney, as to the truth of the facts stated by him, and it shall be sufficient for either party to swear to the best of his knowledge and belief.