Blaze destroys Mouton Cove home of Abbeville Police officer; account set up for family

MOUTON COVE — More than a dozen fire fighters from three departments in Vermilion Parish responded to a blaze in a home in Mouton Cove Wednesday afternoon.
The home belonged to the family of Officer Michael Brewer of the Abbeville Police Department.
The Brewer family, including Michael, his wife Melissa, three sons (ages 17, 21, 23) and two daughters (17, 18), lost all of their personal belongings.
The Brewers were returning home from New Orleans, where Michael Brewer had been hospitalized with an illness for a short period, when they learned of the fire.
“Since the fire, the public has responded greatly to the Brewer’s loss,” Abbeville Police Department Lt. David Hardy said. “Numerous organizations, businesses and individuals have come forth to offer assistance.”
An account has now been set up at Chase Bank for those wishing to donate to the Brewer family. The account is listed under Michael Brewer: Account # 3098502809 Routing # 065400137. This account will accept checks or money orders only. Anyone wishing to make cash donations, is asked to do so at the Abbeville Police Department.
The fire began around 12:30 p.m.
“It took about three hours to get it under control,” 7th Ward Volunteer Fire Department Chief Doris Langlinais said.
Fire fighters from 7th Ward, the Abbeville Fire Department and the Meaux/Nunez Fire Department responded.
No one was injured during the fire. One person was in the home at the time, but he was able to reach safety.
“He was sleeping and the smoke woke him up,” Langlinais said. “That’s when he noticed that the house was on fire.”
The fire is believed to have started in one of the bedrooms. The incident remains under investigation. The house is a total loss.
“Not long after the first truck got there,” Langlinais explained, “the fire had made its way through the roof. With the wind yesterday, there was no stopping it.”
With no structures in the immediate vicinity, the threat of the fire spreading did not loom. Langlinais said fire fighters were able to save three vehicles.
“We pulled three vehicles away from the house,” Langlinais said. “That’s all that was saveable.”
Hardy said the department is thankful for all assistance the Brewers have received.
“The Abbeville Police Department would like to extend thanks to those who have graciously come forth to assist Officer Brewer and his family in their time of need,” Hardy said.