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Man dies in north Beaumont house fire Tuesday morning

The victim was identified as 76-year-old Owens Davallier by the Beaumont Police Department.

BEAUMONT — A house fire has claimed the life of a man Tuesday morning in Beaumont. The victim was identified as 76-year-old Owens Davallier by the Beaumont Police Department. He was regarded as a defender of those with addictions to drugs or alcohol. Davillier was the founder of the H.O.W. Center that has saved countless lives.

The fire happened 1300 block of Caldwell Avenue on the north side of Beaumont according to Beaumont Fire-Rescue Chief Scott Wheat.

A neighbor, Xaviar Williams, reported the fire at about 8 a.m. at a home in the 1300 block of Caldwell Avenue. Caldwell is off of M L King Jr. Parkway just north of Interstate 10.

Williams had known Davallier for 40 years and has owned a business near his home since he's lived there.

"When I got a little closer that's when I made the 911 call and realized that's when my neighbor's house was on fire," said Williams.

Williams said he checked for Davallier's car to see if they were home, and didn't see it. Unfortunately, Davallier waws inside.

When firefighters arrived on the scene smoke was coming out of the attic of the house.

Fire chief Earl White said when they got to the house, the fire and smoke were too heavy for them to go inside.

"We arrived within three minutes, discovered heavy fire smoke showing from the front of the structure, attempted an interior attack," said White.

When they were able to enter, they found Davallier's body inside. He was pronounced dead.

White said no one else was home at the time of the fire. The cause is currently under investigation.

White wants to remind people that this is the time of year fires happen, so make sure smoke detectors are working.

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