Maud, OK – A man and his granddaughter are in a fight for their lives after a possible gas leak caused the home they were inside to explode.
Don Osteen and 3-year-old Paetyn were having lunch on Thursday when the explosion happened.
Now, family members are taking to social media to share their recovery and their story.
In spite of extensive burns on most of his body, broken ribs, and a collapsed lung, Don shielded Paetyn from the fire and carried her a quarter of a mile to help.
Officials say 30 percent of little Paetyns body was badly burned as well.
Now, the two are in the ICU with family members constantly at their side.
The home was leveled by the explosion and the fire. Some family and fire officials are saying the explosion was caused by a gas, possibly propane, leak, but it’s still under investigation.
Loved ones are taking to Facebook to share the steps of Don and Paetyn’s recovery, and a story of Don’s heroism is surfacing.
According to posts, Don shielded Paetyn from the flames and the house collapsing around him. Then, in spite of his injuries, he carried her a quarter of a mile to help, before the two were helicoptered to the burn unit at Integris Baptist.
“I`d like to see them all get better,” said Bowlegs Volunteer Fire Dept. Chief Charles Presley. “I mean, they’ve got a long struggle ahead of them it looks like.
A fundraiser for their medical bills has been set up online.