A tragic fire in Yukon, Oklahoma, has left the Crabtree family of 12 displaced, as they work to rebuild their lives with the help of community support. The fire, which started in the garage of their home on Wednesday, destroyed nearly all of their belongings and claimed the life of their beloved pet, Tippy, a teacup Chihuahua.

The fire began with a loud boom, believed to have originated from a hot water tank explosion, although the cause is still under investigation. Lakota Crabtree described the scene, saying, “I walked in there, and it was just fire all over the ground, the wall.” The family lost nearly everything they had worked for, with Shakia Crabtree expressing, “We have all the memories, but everything we worked so hard for is gone.”

The fire displaced 12 people, including the sisters’ eight children. Shakia had recently moved in with her sister for a fresh start after leaving an unstable relationship. Now, both sisters are faced with starting over once again. “Like everything that we had was in the garage. All my baby stuff, my aunt’s baby stuff. It’s gone,” Shakia shared.

In the wake of this tragedy, the community has rallied around the Crabtree family. A meal train and fundraiser have been organized to assist them in taking their next steps. For the time being, the family will be staying in a hotel for the next few days as they begin the process of rebuilding their lives.

Community Support and Rebuilding

The outpouring of support from the community highlights the strength and compassion of local residents in times of need. As the Crabtree family navigates this challenging period, they are grateful for the assistance and encouragement they have received.

For those interested in helping the family, donations can be made through their GoFundMe page. The community’s generosity serves as a reminder of the importance of coming together to support one another in difficult times.

Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.