116-year-old Abbeville home burns

A home that stood in Abbeville for 116 years is now gone.
An early morning fire destroyed the home Thursday on the corner of Charity Street and South Guegnon Street.
The fire started around 1 a.m. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No one was staying in the home at the time and the Abbeville Fire Department reported no injuries.
Members of the fire department remained on scene hours after extinguishing the flames. Firefighters continued dousing the remains of the home with water into Thursday afternoon, until no smoke could be seen.
“We stay until there is really no smoke left,” Abbeville Fire Chief Jude Mire said.
The Abbeville Fire Department, as well as the home owner’s insurance company, is conducting the investigation. Mire said the state fire marshal will not be called in at this time.
“We don’t suspect arson to be involved,” Mire said.
The department responded to the call around 1 a.m. Thursday.
“All four (Abbeville) stations responded,” Mire said.
Volunteers from the Erath, Henry and Maurice Fire Departments assisted Abbeville firefighters.
“It took about 45 minutes to get under control,” Mire said. “What I mean by under control is, it was not (completely) out. It was manageable to where they could work.
“It was a good-sized fire, but they had it under control for pretty much the entire time.”
In all, about 30 firefighters battled the blaze. The first ones on the scene did make entry to the two-story home.
“They made entry through the front,” Mire said. “It was just too hot and had too much black smoke.
“They went about four feet inside and had to back out.”
The firefighters then began a containment effort.
“They worked to keep the fire in its place,” Mire said.
Firefighters used the ladder truck for an aerial attack point, as well as four hand lines on the ground.
“They had two on each side of the building to contain it,” Mire said.
That resulted in the fire causing no damage to adjacent properties. Mire said that served as a major concern.
“The problem with this house was that it was so big,” Mire said. “We wanted to make sure that everything was under control and nothing else caught on fire.”
Parts of the home remained standing. Mire said the city will have the remainder torn down, but the home does not represent a safety hazard for either Charity or Guegnon Streets, as well as the general public.
“No one should be going on the property besides those investigating,” Mire said. “Abbeville Public Works brought a Gradall (excavator) and tore down the second floor porch. They pulled it down to make sure it would not fall on the sidewalk.”