OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) -- A fire in Opelousas this weekend claimed the lives of three people, including Jermaine Doucet, a beloved community figure known for his restaurant, Fatbelly's.

Jermaine, affectionately known as "Trigger," was remembered by family and friends for his selflessness and his ability to bring joy and laughter to those around him. They say his restaurant, was more than just a place to eat; it was a community hub where people gathered to enjoy each other's company.

"Jermaine was put on this earth to make everybody laugh like he was a character. He was a pillar in the community," said Alonzo King, a friend of Jermaine.

Jermaine's brother, Craig Doucet, highlighted his brother's generosity and humor.

"He fed a lot of people," said Craig. "He did a lot of things. He made us laugh."

Sedrick Savoy, an Opelousas filmmaker, had a close friendship with Jermaine and worked with him on a feature-length movie titled "Welcome to Fatbelly's." Savoy plans to carry on Jermaine's legacy through his own work, inspired by Jermaine's passion and creativity.

"His whole mindset, bro, the energy Trigger brought around. You know what I'm saying? You couldn't even be sad," Savoy said. "He was a very loving and giving spirit. I'm going to miss, brother. He became my big brother. And he called me his little brother."

Jermaine's impact on the Opelousas community will be remembered by those who knew him, as they continue to cherish the memories and joy he brought into their lives.

"Trigger, we love you, brother. Always, always in our hearts," said Craig.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KLFY. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KLFY staff before being published.

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