Friend Reaching Out For Catoosa Fire Victim

A Catoosa woman is dead after suffering major burns in a Tuesday night house fire.  Now a family friend is trying to find her daughter a new home.  The News On 6's Jeffrey Smith reports the woman needs help to get her life back on track.

Debbie Coltrane has lived in her Catoosa home for six years while taking care of her sick mother, Mary. But, it only took an hour for a fire to destroy the house, and leave Mary with life-threatening injuries. She passed away Thursday night, leaving Debbie without a home, and without a mom. Now a family friend is trying to reach out.

"She's always there to help us.  She has always been a rock to be able to stand on," said Amber Fox, family friend.

Amber says Debbie has stage 4 breast cancer and her struggle to overcome is a daily inspiration.

"She gets up every day just like the rest of us, fights every day, and ensures that nothing will put her down," said Amber Fox, family friend.

And, Amber is looking to turn an old house into Debbie's new home.

Even with a quick look at the house, you can see how much work needs to be done. Debris from the ice storm needs to be cleared out and the porch is full of old, broken furniture that needs to be removed. Amber says she doing her best to get the house ready, but she need help from the community.

"Appliances, siding, roof, drywall, flooring, cabinetry, carpeting.  It needs everything," said Amber Fox.

She says Debbie's given so much to the community, and now it's time to give back.

"She lost everything in the fire, and she has always been an angel to those who need her, and it's time for somebody to be an angel to her," said Amber Fox, family friend.

And so, Amber says she's working around the clock to turn this story of heartbreak into a story of hope.

Anyone wanting to help can e-mail Amber at:  helpingcommunity08@yahoo.com

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