By Liz McMahan
The Muskogee Phoenix
WAINWRIGHT, Okla. — The mayor of Wainwright suffered a heart attack as she watched her family’s home be destroyed by fire Tuesday afternoon, said Debra Summers, a fire department volunteer.
The fire at the home of Arlene and Willie Petterson was reported about 2:30 p.m. As the Wainwright Volunteer Fire Department battled the blaze, Arlene Petterson collapsed, Summers said.
Petterson suffered two more heart attacks after arriving at Muskogee Regional Medical Center, but was quite a bit better Wednesday afternoon, Summers said.
Besides transporting Petterson, Muskogee County Emergency Medical Services workers also were busy at the fire treating firefighters for heat exhaustion.
“They (EMS) were great,” Summers said. “They came down and administered the IVs to the firemen, as they were collapsing and falling over. Our fire chief was found on his knees in the middle of the street because it was so hot.”
Summers said three firefighters received IVs and two others were given oxygen.
Summers was near tears Wednesday as she talked of seeing her neighbors’ tragedy.
The town is southwest of Muskogee, about seven miles west off U.S. 69.
“In a community like that, everybody’s friends,” Summers said. “Everybody knows everybody and we’re all friends.”
The close-knit community already has started gathering goods to help the Petterson family. Besides Arlene and Willie Petterson, there were four other family members living in the house.
Everything was destroyed in the fire that is believed to have started from a water heater, Summers said. The Red Cross has provided some clothing and housing through Saturday night, Summers said.
The family had no insurance and the community is looking for someone with a bulldozer to clear the lot where the house was so they might be able to set up a mobile home. They also are gathering donations of clothing, Summers said.
The fire department will hold its monthly meeting tonight and possibly organize a fundraiser to help the family, Summers said.
Copyright 2009