House Fire Can't Destroy Skiatook Family's Spirit

Monday, December 24th 2007, 9:43 am

By: News On 6

The Christmas spirit is alive and well for a Skiatook family despite losing their home to fire. The News On 6â€™s Dan Bewley reports the McCuen family is not letting a tragedy get them down. Four days before Christmas, the family home was destroyed. The fire claimed family pictures, every bit of clothing they owned, as well as the kidâ€™s arts and crafts, but the McCuens say it also showed them the real meaning of Christmas.

Only a charred frame remains. A front door twisted and burned, gone are the countless knick-knacks collected over time.

â€œOne thing I think of is all the macaroni pictures that your kids made. I had copier paper boxes full of kids stuff like that that I have saved,â€ said Meshell McCuen.

Meshell and Dwayne McCuen are thankful they and their three sons were not home on Friday afternoon when their house of 16 years caught on fire. The fire started somewhere on the west side of the home, near the laundry area. Three days later the family is taking it in stride.

â€œGrace, hope, joy things that are really Christmas, that's what we are experiencing,â€ said Meshell McCuen.

You might look at the house, see all the rubble, see that there's not really anything left and you might think the McCuens are in need. They say that's far from the case, they're actually calling this fire a blessing.

â€œPeople just show up and don't say, 'What do you want us to do', it's 'This is what I'm doing for you'. We haven't had to worry about any of that,â€ said Meshell McCuen.

The McCuens say life is good.

â€œI'm grateful, life is good. This isn't a sympathetic deal here, life is still good,â€ said Dwayne McCuen.

As their sons checked out what's left, record a few pictures for posterity, the McCuens say don't worry about them this holiday season. Family, friends, even strangers have taken them under their wings. Christmas day, the family says, will be just fine.

â€œIt's been hard but my kids keep reminding me that let's just celebrate, just say Merry Christmas without even exchanging a gift,â€ said Meshell McCuen.

The Skiatook Fire Department says they have yet to determine the cause and state fire marshal investigators should be on the scene sometime this week.

Watch the video: House Fire Can't Kill Skiatook Family's Spirit