Claremore Man Badly Burned Trying To Save Pets From House Fire

Craig Day, News On 6

CLAREMORE, Oklahoma -- A Green Country man is fighting for his life with severe burns after a house fire. He has burns to more than 80 percent of his body. It happened on the West side of Claremore at a home along Highway 20.

Ray Luellen and his family and friends are going through what's left of their home.

"This is the first home I ever owned, and it burned down on me," Luellen said.

They're seeing if there is anything left, but where do you start when something like this happens.

"There's just nothing left. It's all gone, all gone," said fire victim Ray Luellen.

At about eight Thursday night, the Luellen's home caught fire. No one knows yet how it started. They don't know what they'll do.

10/28/2010 Related Story: Man Severely Burned In Claremore House Fire

Ray Luellen doesn't know if his step son will even survive.

"Nobody knows. I don't know. I just don't know," he said.

Four people inside the home, made it out ok. Chris Barnard, 31, didn't.

"He's in bad shape. You wouldn't recognize him. He's all burnt," Luellen said.

Ray says his stepson tried to save the family's pets and was severely burned by the flames.

"Oh geez. It went like that. I couldn't believe it," he said.

Chris is also suffering from smoke inhalation.

"The whole house was just black smoke," homeowner Ray Luellen. "We don't know if he's going to make it."

Claremore Fire Chief Sean Douglas says our home is the most likely place any of us will experience a fire. He says if it happens, first alert everyone and get out. Then call for help.

"In some cases, by the time the smoke detectors go off, you have a very limited amount of time to get out and seek safety," said Chief Sean Douglas, Claremore Fire Department.

While investigators work to determine what caused the fire, the family is left with nothing.

"Disabled veteran from Vietnam, and I ain't got nothing now," Luellen said.

They're trying to get through the ordeal as best they can, along with the tragedy of a young life forever changed, and possibly lost. The Tulsa Chapter of the American Red Cross is helping the family during such a terrible time.