Clifford and Vera Looper and their two sons were in the home located in Hanson southeast of Sallisaw at the time of the fire, and luckily escaped unharmed. But their home was not so fortunate. Firefighters and family said the home was destroyed in the fire.
Gaylene Hines, a family member, said the family is currently staying nearby with an adult daughter in a small mobile home.
Hines said they are currently trying to set up a fund or bank account to help the family, who did not have home insurance. The home was a mobile home that the family built onto.
Hines added that Clifford Looper works on vehicles and lost most all of his tools.
Hines said the family is supposed to meet with officials from the American Red Cross.
Frank Cullum, Central firefighter, said the Central Fire Department received the fire call at 6 or 6:30 p.m. When firefighters arrived on the scene, the home and the adjoining shop were engulfed in flames.
By the time the owners looked out the window and saw smoke, they called 911. Clifford Looper turned off the electrical box and began putting water on the fire, Cullum said.
"They all got out safely," he said.
Cullum said Central Fire Department called Maple and Muldrow Fire Departments to assist. A total of 18 to 24 firefighters were on the scene, including Cullum and Central firefighters Steve Allen, Rodney Smith, Howard King and Robert Vinson. He said they were on the scene for about three hours.
The only things they were able to preserve were surrounding outbuildings.
While the owners were at home when the fire began, no one was injured, Cullum said.
Firefighters believe the fire began on the northeast side of the home in a wall between the existing structure and a portable metal building that was constructed around the mobile home and shop. A wiring entry was in the area of the fire.
"It was probably an electrical fire," Cullum said. "It was a total loss."
Cullum said from what he understood, the Loopers did not have any insurance.
