Oklahoma Firefighters Save Family, Restore Christmas Presents After Suspected Arsonist Burns Home

Firefighters Save Family, Christmas After Suspected Arsonist Burns Home

It was anything but a happy new year for one Oklahoma family.

An arsonist is believed to have set fire to Stephanie Jackson's home in Tulsa, Okla., on Dec. 31, KJRH.com reports.

The family, which includes two young boys, escaped unharmed. Firefighter James O'Neal was the only person injured in the fire and is still recovering in the hospital, the news outlet reported Thursday.

"I'm just speechless," Jackson told Fox 23. "I mean who could just not have a heart? Just heartless."

Although some of the boys' Christmas presents were ruined in the fire, Santa Claus and the Tulsa firefighters teamed up to donate new gifts to the family, according to KJRH.com.

But they aren't the only ones collecting donations for the greater good.

Monetary support from around the country is pouring in to show allegiance and support for O'Neal.

Donations from the Crime Commission, Local International Association of Firefighters 176, Mayor Dewey Bartlett and his oil company, and retired firefighter Brett Baker have added up to a $4,000 reward to catch the arsonist, Fox 23 reports.

Retired New York City firefighter and 9/11 survivor Sean Hickey, who donated $500 to the reward, told the news source that even though he hadn't met O'Neal, he contributed money as a statement that an arsonist shouldn't get away with harming a firefighter.

"I would like him to sit in his jail cell realizing that money is flowing in from firefighters, concerned officers, citizens, police officers across this country to capture him,� Hickey told Fox 23.

Anyone with information or leads can call the arson leads number at the Tulsa Fire Department at 918-596-2776.

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot