Cleveland, Oklahoma Resident Loses 'Everything' In Fire

NewsOn6.com

CLEVELAND, Oklahoma -- Charlotte Miller stood before the blackened ruins of her rural home Sunday. The Cleveland resident's voice broke as she described losing everything in Saturday night's wildfires.

"Had a lot of stuff over here in this little trailer," she said, pointing to charred metal. "It's just gone."

Her greatest regret is losing her photographs. Another is the death of the family pets that gave her comfort.

She and her husband don't have insurance. Neither is in good health.

"It seems like its getting worse instead of better, but we trust in the Lord and know he will provide."

Miller has lived in the rural neighborhood just south of Cleveland for more than 18 years. She says her and neighbors are no strangers to fire, but she wasn't prepared for what happened Saturday.

"This is the fourth fire we had out here, and none of them has been this devastating," she said.

The Millers' home is one of at least five that were destroyed when more than 1000 acres burned Saturday night.

Hundreds of residents were allowed to return to their homes after several fire agencies and Air National Guard Helicopters contained the fire later in the evening.

04/09/2011 Related Story: Residents Flee As Wildfire Burns Homes Near Cleveland, Oklahoma

Despite their losses, Charlotte Miller wanted firefighters to know that she appreciates their efforts.

"I want to thank [the firefighters] because they have a dangerous job," she said. "I just want it to be known we think a lot of them."