Victim Identified in Fatal Abbeville House Fire

62-year-old Stephanie Broussard of Forked Island died in the early morning blaze.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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A fatal house fire in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana early Saturday morning has claimed the life of 62-year-old Stephanie Broussard of Forked Island, according to local fire officials. The Vermilion Fire District No. 13 responded to the reported structure fire on Pine Island Road in Abbeville and discovered Broussard's body after extinguishing the flames.

Why it matters

House fires are a major public safety concern, especially during colder months when heating equipment is frequently used. This tragic incident highlights the importance of fire safety precautions like working smoke alarms to help prevent such devastating losses.

The details

Firefighters arrived on the scene and worked to bring the flames under control before making the tragic discovery of Broussard's body inside the residence. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office.

  • The fire occurred during the early morning hours of February 14, 2026.

The players

Stephanie Broussard

A 62-year-old woman from Forked Island, Louisiana who died in the house fire.

Vermilion Fire District No. 13

The local fire department that responded to the reported structure fire and discovered the victim.

Anthony Langlinais

A department chief with the Vermilion Fire District No. 13 who provided details about the incident.

Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office

The state agency that is investigating the cause of the fatal house fire.

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What they’re saying

“Once we got the fire knocked down, we located a victim.”

— Anthony Langlinais, Department Chief, Vermilion Fire District No. 13 (KLFY)

“Everything's been turned over to the state. It is still under investigation by the state fire marshal's office.”

— Anthony Langlinais, Department Chief, Vermilion Fire District No. 13 (KLFY)

What’s next

The Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office is continuing its investigation into the cause of the fatal house fire.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the importance of fire safety precautions, such as working smoke alarms, to help prevent devastating losses. As the investigation continues, the community will await answers on what sparked the blaze that claimed the life of Stephanie Broussard.