HOUMA, La. — David Coffman said he lost his home, his brother, Royace, and their dog, Brees, when flames swept through their residence.

“He made it impossible not to love him,” Coffman said. “I don’t know what else to say.”

Coffman recalled the speed at which the fire grew out of control.

“The fire started coming through the door, and at that instant, I realized that all of that was on fire and there was no way I was putting it out,” he said.

Firefighters were able to rescue Coffman from the burning home, but his brother could not be saved.

“He was still alive,” Coffman said. “The last thing I heard him say was, ‘Dave, help me.’ They couldn’t go in because of the smoke.”

Coffman had long cared for his brother, who had a mental disability. But he said Royace’s cheerful spirit touched

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