KAPLAN, La. (KLFY) — Vicki Rigmaiden and her husband, Rodney Cormier, told News 10 they are trying to figure out their next steps after their home was tragically burnt down to the ground, leaving nothing but rubble.

Rigmaiden and Cormier said the fire happened around midnight on April 1st. Rigmaiden and Cormier told News 10 they were asleep when suddenly they were awoken by a loud noise. When they went to see what the noise was, they noticed the blazes from the fire, and called the Kaplan Fire Department.

Firefighters with the Erath Fire Department and Abbeville Fire Department assisted the Kaplan Fire Department in putting out the flames, which took nearly four hours.

“All of a sudden the lights went out and we heard a loud boom, and I thought someone was breaking in, and by the time he went to see what was going on, it was engulfed in flames on the other level,” said Rigmaiden.

Rigmaiden said the cause was an electrical fire.

“From that little air conditioner fire, whatever started it, something electrical, it did damage, we had a two-story home, now we have a no story,” said Rigmaiden.

The couple said the fire destroyed everything and they are now left with only the clothes on their backs. Cormier told News 10 he and Rigmaiden lived in the home together for 16 years, and made lots of memories with family.

“We had a lot of Christmas’s over here, all of the family, a lot of pictures, a lot of work done to it, a lot of money spent into it, but we will be alright,” said Cormier.

When asked about their next steps, they told News 10 they are looking to put a mobile home on their property once the rubble is cleaned. While this is a difficult time for them, the couple said they are grateful no one was hurt.

“We might just tear all of this down and put a trailer here, that’s what I’m thinking is our next option, I don’t think we want to rebuild again,” said Rigmaiden. “Nobody was hurt; we walked out of there with just the clothes on our back but guess what we lived to see another day.”‘

If you would like to help Vicki and Rodney get back on their feet, you can send a donation to the Cash App $Aguillory54.

Also, there will be a benefit fundraiser for Vicki and Rodney on May 9th. See the details below.

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