By Jade Morrow, Fox23 News
WAGONER, Okla. — A Wagoner man is staying in a hotel after losing his home of 44 years in a fire during last weekend’s severe winter storm.
87-year-old Ervin Howerton is now asking the community for help after the fire destroyed nearly everything he owned. Our news partners at FOX23 spoke with Howerton, who described how he escaped the burning home with help from a neighbor.
Howerton, who uses a wheelchair, said the fire started Saturday afternoon while he was cooking.
“I was trying to cook some squash and was sitting watching TV and forgot to check on them and they caught on fire,” Howerton said.
Once the flames started, Howerton said they quickly spread. He tried to put the fire out himself but was unsuccessful.
“‘The house is going to burn’ is what went through my head,” he said. “I was in there trying to throw water up on the ceiling, out of the sink, draining it in a pan and trying to splash it up on the ceiling.”
Unable to stop the fire, Howerton said he focused on getting himself out safely.
“I knew I couldn’t get anything out because I was in a wheelchair. All I could do was get myself out,” he said.
Howerton made it to the porch and began yelling for help. A neighbor heard his calls and ran over to assist, calling firefighters and Howerton’s family.
His granddaughter, Jennifer Howerton, said it took crews nearly an hour to reach the home due to conditions during the winter storm. She said after the fire was initially put out, it reignited later that night.
“It was still burning, and at about 9 o’clock that night it caught fire again,” she said.
All that remains of the home now is a ramp and a welcome sign.
In addition to the house, Howerton lost family photos, furniture and one of his two dogs. His surviving dog, Hatchi, made it out safely.
“He’s going to be disappointed because he’s not going to be able to go back to his home,” Howerton said.
Despite the loss, Howerton said he is grateful to be alive.
“Let me say this, I’m just proud I got out,” he said. “That’s all that matters.”
Jennifer Howerton echoed the sentiment, saying the family is focused on staying positive.
Ervin Howerton will remain in a hotel while his family works to find him a more permanent place to live. His granddaughter has set up a GoFundMe to help with expenses and rebuilding. A link to donate can be found by clicking here.
