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A Pottawatomie County sheriff's deputy, his parents, sister and nephew, narrowly escaped their burning home overnight following an explosion inside their house near Macomb.
Deputy Scott Hawkins was asleep about 2:15 a.m. Saturday when the explosion occurred. He said his sister, Christy, was awake caring for her 1-year-old son, Kayden, when she heard the explosion. She yelled for their father Tim, who grabbed his grandchild and ran through flames to escape the burning home.
Hawkins' mother Twila also escaped, he said.
While running out of the home with his grandbaby, Tim Hawkins suffered burns to one hand, but he quickly went to help his son, who was trapped in his bedroom.
Scott Hawkins said his father broke out his bedroom window as smoke and flames filled the room.
"I gasped for air," he said, adding he knew he had to get out fast as flames roared from the ceiling.
"My dad pulled me through the bedroom window - he ripped me through," Scott Hawkins said, causing lacerations to his arms and knees.
The explosion was loud, he said, and awoke a neighbor.
Hawkins and his family lost everything they owned, he said, including Hawkins' deputy uniforms for work, as well as his duty belt and firearm.
And for his mother, who has been battling cancer, she lost all of her needed medications.
"I don't know what we're going to do," Hawkins said Saturday, awaiting to visit with the American Red Cross for some assistance.
Times have been tough for the family the past few months, Hawkins said, so they didn't have homeowner's insurance.
"It's been really tough...it's poured on us as far as bad things," Hawkins said, although he said they feel lucky to have relatives who live nearby, so they know they'll have a place to sleep.
And while he said it's hard for the family to ask for help, they do need it at a time like this.
Many in law enforcement and public service are trying to help him and his family by gathering new uniforms and duty gear for him, as well as collecting monetary donations and items the family will need as they
start over from scratch, needing everything from clothes to necessities, all with the unknown of where
they will live.
"I'm just thankful we all got out..We're lucky," Scott Hawkins said. "We may not have a house there, but we're still alive and all still together."
A Pottawatomie County sheriff's deputy, his parents, sister and nephew, narrowly escaped their burning home overnight following an explosion inside their house near Macomb.
Deputy Scott Hawkins was asleep about 2:15 a.m. Saturday when the explosion occurred. He said his sister, Christy, was awake caring for her 1-year-old son, Kayden, when she heard the explosion. She yelled for their father Tim, who grabbed his grandchild and ran through flames to escape the burning home.
Hawkins' mother Twila also escaped, he said.
While running out of the home with his grandbaby, Tim Hawkins suffered burns to one hand, but he quickly went to help his son, who was trapped in his bedroom.
Scott Hawkins said his father broke out his bedroom window as smoke and flames filled the room.
"I gasped for air," he said, adding he knew he had to get out fast as flames roared from the ceiling.
"My dad pulled me through the bedroom window - he ripped me through," Scott Hawkins said, causing lacerations to his arms and knees.
The explosion was loud, he said, and awoke a neighbor.
Hawkins and his family lost everything they owned, he said, including Hawkins' deputy uniforms for work, as well as his duty belt and firearm.
And for his mother, who has been battling cancer, she lost all of her needed medications.
"I don't know what we're going to do," Hawkins said Saturday, awaiting to visit with the American Red Cross for some assistance.
Times have been tough for the family the past few months, Hawkins said, so they didn't have homeowner's insurance.
"It's been really tough...it's poured on us as far as bad things," Hawkins said, although he said they feel lucky to have relatives who live nearby, so they know they'll have a place to sleep.
And while he said it's hard for the family to ask for help, they do need it at a time like this.
Many in law enforcement and public service are trying to help him and his family by gathering new uniforms and duty gear for him, as well as collecting monetary donations and items the family will need as they
start over from scratch, needing everything from clothes to necessities, all with the unknown of where
they will live.
"I'm just thankful we all got out..We're lucky," Scott Hawkins said. "We may not have a house there, but we're still alive and all still together."
Although they all made it through with just minor injuries, Scott Hawkins was saddened that they did lose
their family's cat to the blaze.
Firefighters have not determined cause of the fire.
Tecumseh Fire Chief Aaron Williams said Tecumseh, Bethel and Brooksville crews responded to the fire at 25260 Drummond Spur, which is in the Brooksville district.
The wood frame house was engulfed before Tecumseh fire crews first arrived on scene.
The chief said the home burned to the ground and is a total loss.
Williams said Hawkins' sister reported hearing an explosion and fire crews believe the fire ignited in the living room area.
The Pottwatomie County sheriff's office plans to set up a bank fund Monday to assist Hawkins and his family.
Those wanting to help can contact the sheriff's office administration line, 275-2526 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or anyone wanting to assist them before then can contact Doraine, 820-2722.
