CLAREMORE, Mo. -- An overnight house fire took everything from one Claremore firefighter and his family.
Brandon McClain has been a firefighter in Claremore for 11 years.
Early Tuesday morning, the element he has devoted his life to keeping people safe from destroyed his home, his vehicles and all of his family's belongings.
Thankfully, the family was not home at the time of the fire. Brandon was at work while his wife Misty was at the hospital with their 16-year-old daughter, Taylor. Taylor has Spina bifida and is spending her Christmas break at St. Francis Children's Hospital for shunt revision. She will require life-long medical care and is confined to a wheelchair and ventilator. All of her medical equipment that was at the house during the fire will need to be replaced. The couple's youngest daughter, 9-year-old Macey, was staying with a family member.
The family celebrated Christmas at the hospital, according to fellow firefigher and family friend Michael Peters.
"They had just brought all their presents home," Peters said. "The house is a total lost, as well as a handicap van they use to transport Taylor, who has spina bifida."
The home near Sequoyah and Brandon's truck are a total loss. The van used to transport Taylor will also likely be a total loss. All personal belongings in the home were also destroyed.
The origin of the fire is under investigation.
Donations of clothing and toiletries are currently being accepted for the family. Brandon's sizes are 34/34 pants, XL shirt and 9.5 shoe. Misty's sizes are 10 pants, medium shirt and 7.5 shoes. Taylor's sizes are 14.5 jeans, 12/14 shirt and 3 shoes. Macey's sizes are 12/14 pants and shirts, 7.5 shoes. Items can be delivered to City Hall or any of the three Claremore Fire Stations.
Monetary donations can also be made to the Brandon McClain Benefit Fund and any RCB bank location. For more information, contact Mike Peters at (918) 724-0744.
