Broken Arrow Firefighters Help Their Own In Midst Of Tragedy

Just days before Christmas, a Broken Arrow firefighter was forced to stand and watch as fellow firefighters battled to save his family's home.

Some of Doug Gibson's colleagues have taken up a collection to help his family.

They said any time they go out on a fire call, it's difficult. But when it happens to one of your own, it really hits close to home.

12/21/2012 Related Story: Broken Arrow Family Loses Home In Overnight Fire

When fire crews got the call last night, flames were pouring out of Gibson's home in Broken Arrow.

"The first thing that goes through your mind is your family and is everyone safe," neighbor David Foster said.

The flames were hot enough to char the side of David Foster's and melt the plastic on one of his cars.

Foster was asleep when a neighbor woke him up just before midnight.

"They came screaming to our door, they saw flames, and came and got the neighbors out of their house," Foster said.

Two cars in the driveway also caught fire, making matters worse for firefighters and forcing them to pull back from fire fight.

It was a difficult decision for men who know Gibson and his family well.

Capt. Chris Conger: "Everybody knows him in town, he's a wonderful guy to work with."

Lt. Rusty Schaefer: "He's been the best fireman that I've ever had. We like him around here he's easy to get along with, he's very good at his job, very knowledgeable."

Shafer has worked with Gibson at the fire department for over three years.

"Both him and his wife loved that house," Schaefer said. "You get to hear them talk about it. They loved that house. They love where they live. They love the neighborhood, because he grew up there his whole life."

Conger said despite losing his childhood home, Gibson told him he still has plenty to be thankful for this holiday season.

"One of the things Doug mentioned to me was about what might have been had he been on duty, and his wife and boys had been there alone," Conger said.

The department has since taken up a collection for the Gibsons.

"Everybody I know has given, they just keep calling me trying to give money, because he's such a good employee and good person he'd do anything for you," Schaefer said.

At this time, the fire is believed to have started in the garage, but the cause is still under investigation.