Newcastle Family In Need Of Help After Losing Home To Fire

They escaped with the clothes on their backs but not much else: A McClain County family lost nearly everything in a house fire.

Linda Grubbs said she and her husband, Leroy, along with their oldest grandchild, Brandin, were sleeping in their Newcastle home when flames erupted Monday night.

"We just barely got out because by then, the kitchen was already engulfed and it was already moving into the living room," Linda recalled.

Leroy said he was able to find his keys and move his truck away from the fire.

"It was full of smoke. I had to close my eyes and feel my way," said Leroy. "You couldn't even take any kind of breath. I wasn't sure I was going to get back out."

Meanwhile, Brandin tried to fight the flames by using a water hose.

"And (his hand) got burnt," said Linda. "But (the house) was already too far gone."

After firefighters put out the blaze, the family salvaged what they could, such as precious family photos.

"My brother's now gone. So that picture can't be recreated," said Linda of a photo of her late brother that they saved from the fire. 

But the family lost most of their possessions, including decades of curriculum items that Linda had accumulated from her 20 years as a teacher at Oklahoma City Christian Academy and 30 years as a children's pastor. She also lost her baking supplies, which were special to her because she was known for making cakes and pies for the community.

"It was another way she showed love around the world," Brandin said.

Leroy said he lost 50 years worth of OU memorabilia, as well as tools for his job. But the family also lost their basic necessities, such as clothing and medicine. Despite the circumstances, they are grateful .

"If somebody wants to know what they can do for us, we want you to praise God with us that we're still here," said Linda. "Thank God that we are here, that we can make new memories."

Another way to help the couple is to donate to their GoFundMe page that was set up by their children. Click here to contribute.

In addition, the family said supplies, such as toiletries and hygiene products, can be dropped off at Tri-City Worship Center at 3446 Northwest 24th Street in Newcastle. Among the needed items are a blow dryer, curling irons, makeup, shaver, hair clippers and deodorant.

The family said firefighters believed the blaze was electrical in nature. They were waiting to hear back from their insurance adjuster.