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Family’s home turned to ash
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The Adrian McGowan family home on Wildhorse Mountain south of Sallisaw burned early Monday.
Submitted Photo
Firefighters believe the fire started in the attic and State Fire Marshal Mike Tubbs is investigating the cause of the fire.
Adrian McGowan said he and his 15-year-old son were going to bed around 2 a.m. Adrian McGowan said they started upstairs to their rooms when he heard his son yelling, “Fire! Fire!”
There were nine children in the home when the fire broke out. The youths ages are 2 months, 6 months, 3, 4, 8, 11, 15 and a 17. The McGowan’s 20-year old daughter was also staying with them.
“We lost everything in the fire. We have no furnishings, no clothes, and no pictures. Our fire-safe gun safe that had our pictures in it burned,” Michelle McGowan said.
Adrian McGowan said he had time to run, wake up and grab everyone in the house.
“At first when I woke everyone up it was hysterics. Everyone was scared and didn’t know what was going on at first,” Adrian McGowan said.
“We walked outside and saw a huge ball of fire coming out of the roof,” he said.
Adrian McGowan said after he took a head count he called 911.
Brent firefighter Dennis Garrett, said they received the call about 2:30 a.m. He said when firefighters arrived the roof of the house was totally engulfed in flames.
Garrett said the home was destroyed by the time the firefighters got there. He said they finally got the flames out about 7 a.m.
The McGowans have a vacant home in Sallisaw they were getting ready to put up for sale they will be able to stay in.
“You don’t think about the things you have before, but you can’t quit thinking about what you lost when something does happen.” Michelle and Adrian McGowan’s 11-year-old daughter said.
“Everyone got out OK, and that is what really matters,” Michelle McGowan said.
Garrett said firefighters from the Sallisaw Fire Department and Gans Fire Department helped battle the blaze.
“We appreciate Sallisaw and Gans bringing more help and water,” Garrett said. He said there were about 30 firefighters on scene. Estimated damages are about $800,000.
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comments (1)
« bobcatbob wrote on Thursday, Aug 06 at 04:20 PM »
Sorry to hear about your loss Adrian. At least all the family got out safe and sound.
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