LAWTON, Okla_A Lawton family is feeling
a little jinxed. Their house caught fire over the weekend, just weeks after
getting pounded by the Memorial Day hail storm. What's worse, this family was
away on vacation when they got the call their house was on fire. When
firefighters arrived at the home on Southeast 40th, flames were already racing
up between the walls and into the attic. It took several hours to put it out.
The family is
still in shock but thankful they weren't inside the home at the time of the
fire and relieved that their dog was rescued. But you can see the different
colors of siding still on the house that were recently replaced just two weeks
ago following the hail storm and even a new roof. The family said just like
last time they'll manage to pull through.
Alicia Brownell
was in Oklahoma City
vacationing with her family when she got the call that her house was on fire.
"We
immediately left I was screaming the house is on fire Robert, so we grabbed all
of our stuff grabbed the girls and went to the hotel packed everything up they
covered our last room there."
She said they
raced home to a war zone.
"I was in
shock, it was devastating in was indescribable, the feeling of driving up on
your home being in flames, I was in shock, I'm still in shock."
Brownell said
the fire was isolated to one side of their home, starting in the room where two
of her daughters sleep.
"It's a
total loss, bunk beds, clothes, toys, stuffed animals."
She said they
lost everything including their new school clothes and school supplies.
"Its
material and material stuff can be replaced and my girls can't be so it's a
true blessing that I have them."
Brownell said
it was a neighbor who called in the fire and even went into the home when he
was unsure if anyone was inside.
"A
gentleman busted the window with his elbow to he thought someone was sleeping
in here because he saw two cars."
She said it's
neighbors like him that will keep her from moving despite the attack of severe
weather or a tragedy like this one.
"I
wouldn't live anywhere else my neighbors have been phenomenal, Sullivan Village is the best place to live, we
bond together in times of tragedy like this."
Brownell said she and her family are staying in a local hotel until her
home is repaired. Right now,
investigators believe an electrical malfunction started the fire.
Fort Sill National Bank has set up an account in the name of Alicia Brownell.
If you wish to make a donation to the account, you can visit any Fort Sill National
Bank branch.
