Sallisaw Firefighters, Dewayne Burgess, right, and Capt. Steve Padgett walk into the smoke and flames that consumed a home two miles east of Sallisaw Monday. Fifteen firefighters worked nearly 40 minutes to put the fire out.
Courtney Coble • TIMES
Stepping out of the remains of a burning home, Sallisaw firefighter Mike Fullbright checks for hot spots. A family lost all their belongings in the fire. Submitted Photo slideshow A mother and two sons escaped their burning home, which was destroyed by fire Monday evening, but were left without a place to live just three days after Christmas.
Courtney Coble • TIMES
Sallisaw firefighters were called out at 3 p.m. Monday to a house fire two miles east of Sallisaw on U.S. Highway 64. Firefighters worked nearly 40 minutes in the 30-degree weather to save the family’s home. Although the structure was saved, Fire Chief Anthony Armstrong said the home was a total loss.
Fifteen-year-old Dylan Tracy said he and his eight-year-old brother, Dakota, were asleep when the fire started. He said he woke up when his mother, Damona Tracy, screamed “FIRE!” Dylan said he jumped out of bed and hit the floor and all he could see was smoke.
“I crawled out of my room and out of the house,” Dylan Tracy said. “I didn’t know what was going on because I just woke up.”
He said he and Dakota Tracy were fine but his mother, Damona, was taken to the hospital with burns on her hands. Jimmy Walker who also lives in the home wasn’t there when the fire broke out. Armstrong said Damona Tracy suffered burns to her hands and face.
“Mom said a candle was burning and she may have knocked it over when she got up,” Dylan Tracy said.
The family lost all their belongings and clothes to the fire and did not have insurance. Armstrong said they are getting temporary assistance through the Red Cross.
“The Red Cross has been wonderful. They are putting a temporary trailer near our home that burned and letting us stay in that until we can get back on our feet,” Walker said.
The Opportunity House at 110 E. Creek in Sallisaw is accepting donations of cloting and household items for the family. The Opportunity House phone number is (918) 775-3081.
Dylan Tracy wears a size adult medium in shirts, 30-30 in jeans and size 8 shoes. Dakota Tracy wears a 10 to 2 in shirts, a 10 to 12 in jeans, and size 4 to 5 in shoes. Damona Tracy wears a size medium in shirts, 8 to 10 in jeans and size 7 shoes.
Jimmy Walker said he wears a medium in shirts, 33-34 in pants and a size 11 and a half in shoes.
