McAlester Family Loses Home To Fire Just Before Christmas

A McAlester family is waking up without a home after a late night fire. Family members of the victims - who live a few houses down - say they heard what sounded like explosion - then smelled smoke.

When Tabitha Cozad walked outside she saw her cousin's house on fire. It was around 9 p.m. Wednesday, December 20, and at the time Cozad didn't know if her cousins were inside.

Fortunately Bradley and Kimberly Mayer were not home, and all of their animals were found alive.

Firefighters from multiple departments helped put out the flames, but the family says the couple lost still everything - just five days from Christmas.

The cause of the fire in under investigation.

The victim's family members set up an online fundraising site to help get them back on their feet.

Follow this link to help the fire victims