Two die in Mansura fire

Staring at the burned out remains of the home, all family members had were questions.
“Why?” “How?” Three of his grown children and two brothers mourned for Andrew Bennett, Sr., but it was the unanswered questions that occupied their mind as they looked at the home where he died late last Friday night (April 25).
Bennett, 77, and his companion, Julia Corsaro, 53, lived in the house on La. Hwy 114 between Hessmer and Mansura. Both were disabled. Hessmer Volunteer Fire Department Chief Quinn Drouin said that units from Hessmer, Mansura and Bunkie responded to the call at approximately 11:30 p.m. Friday.
“When the first unit arrived, the house was entirely involved,” Drouin said. “After the fire was extinguished, firefighters discovered the two fatalities.” Drouin said the case has been turned over to the state Fire Marshal’s Office because of the fatalities.
Corsaro was virtually confined to a wheelchair, Andrew Bennett, Jr. said.
“Papa was disabled, but he was strong and could get around. I know he would have carried her out of the house. He was strong enough to do that and he wouldn’t have left her behind,” the victim’s daughter, Carolyn Giuffrida said. A third child, Gidget Bennett, stayed by her car and just looked at the gutted remains of her father’s house. “It doesn’t make sense,” she said, staring ahead.
Roland Bennett and Ronald Bennett, twin brothers who were younger than Andrew Sr., tried to make sense of the tragedy as they waited behind a yellow tape barricade. “The state fire marshal is supposed to meet us here to tell us what happened,” Roland said. “You know, two of his sons are dead,” Ronald said. “Stanley and Russell.” Roland said his brother had seven children in all.
Three of the remaining five were gathered at the scene with their uncles. Two grandchildren were also there. Brant Thompson, deputy chief fire marshal, said the office will not confirm the identities of the victims until confirmed through a thorough investigation, which will include dental records and DNA testing. Family members said Bennett was a retired boat captain and had traveled all over the world. He loved to be on the water, they said.