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Amanda Butterfield Reporting A family that already faces many struggles, now has to deal with this.
The Lawrences won't be spending Christmas in their home this year. A fire burned their house in Clinton this morning.
The family that used to live there is disabled, with two sons who need medication and a single mother trying to make ends meet as an assistant teacher. This morning around 11:00, a fire broke out in the house.
Lt. Ron Wehrle, Clinton City Fire Department: "It's looking like it originated in one of the bedrooms."
Officials say two of the kids were home when it started, a 23-year-old and six-year old.
After trying to stop the fire himself, the older son came running to a neighbors to tell them to call 9-1-1. Both got out okay, though they did suffer smoke inhalation. They were taken to Lakeview Hospital.
The six-year-old did burn his foot. Neighbors say he is disabled, and are glad that's all that happened to him.
Keith Huffaker, neighbor: "The little boy sometimes runs the wrong way, we were worried about him going the wrong way, and thank goodness he was out on front porch."
The family's father died several years ago, leaving the mother to care for the children. The family has also suffered the loss of another child. And this morning, they lost their house.
Marcy Foster, neighbor: "No one deserves to go through anything like this, but my heart goes out to them because they've suffered already with loses of family and financial means."
Firefighters were able to salvage some Christmas presents from home, but the family won't be spending Christmas there.
The family has no medical insurance. The six-year-old is believed to have caused the fire. Damage is estimated 30-thousand dollars.
A fund has been setup at any Golden West Credit Union under Marilyn Lawrence.
