Story Published:
Nov 30, 2008 at 11:00 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Dec 1, 2008 at 12:21 PM CDT
SPRINGFIELD -- A man and his twin daughters were in a hospital on Sunday, recovering from burns and smoke inhalation. Fire engulfed their home on Saturday evening, and firefighters had to rescue the two girls from the burning house. Family and friends say all five family members just barely made it out.
"I come up here the day after Thanksgiving. They were up here putting up their Christmas stuff, and now it's all gone," said Jason Garrison, Chris Garrison's brother.
Chris and Heather Garrison, and their children, 4-year-old Adam, and 3-year-old twins Brianna and Sierra, quickly lost many of their belongings on Saturday evening.
"One of the girls was underneath a bed, and the other one was behind the couch. They were hiding," said Jason Garrison.
Firefighters had to rescue the two girls from the burning house, and one of the twins received mouth-to-mouth resuscitation at the scene.
"We don't know who the firemen were but we definitely appreciate it," he said. "My brother, they said, so far, second-degree burns as far as they can know. He'll be on a respirator for at least seven days."
Family members hope for speedy recoveries.
"They're little meanies. They're tough, though. They're just like their dad," said Garrison.
They're also surveying the damage and salvaging what they can.
Family members say the fire started in the parents' bedroom, and Chris Garrison grabbed the mattress and tried to carry it down the narrow hallway to get it out of the house.
"He tried to go through there with the mattress, as it was burning, and he couldn't get it out. It was burning him, and then it got lodged," Garrison said.
They don't know exactly what started the fire, but belongings can be replaced.
"As long as they're better and out of the hospital, that's all that matters," he said.
Family members say both Sierra and Brianna suffered smoke inhalation, and one of the girls suffered third-degree burns on her abdomen. They tell us the twins and their father, Chris, are sedated while they begin their recoveries but none of their injuries are thought to be life-threatening.
The mother, Heather, and Adam were both unhurt.
If you'd like to help the family out with a donation, call (417) 987-4678 and ask for Jason or Stephanie. Springfield Fire Department officials say the fire has been ruled accidental but they need to talk to Chris, and will have to wait on his recovery.
