Oklahoma Teacher Loses Home In Wildfire, Urges Caution Ahead Of Extreme Fire Danger

An Oklahoma teacher and her family are devastated after a wildfire destroyed their home in western Oklahoma.

Laura Hillman woke up Friday morning and went to work like any other weekday. She left with no idea she’d return home to a pile of rubble.

Hillman is a vocal music teacher at Cheyenne Public Schools.

“I told someone today, I was walking in a fog, or I was in robot mode,” said Hillman. “If I’m not in one or the other, I am crying.”

Hillman said she was in the middle of teaching class when she received a text from her neighbor that her home was in direct path of a growing wildfire.

Firefighters sprayed water on the home and grass nearby in an effort to help save the home. Crews told the family it all happened so fast.

“It was like all of the sudden, there was a vortex of fire that just came out of the sky and straight down on the house and it was gone,” said Hillman. “He (the firefighter) said they couldn’t even see each other. It happened that fast.”

Fire officials told the Hillman family high winds snapped a nearby power line which ignited the flames.

No control of the situation or even a chance to save anything, Hillman said, is the hardest part.

“We have a big red barn, and nothing touched it, it was perfectly fine,” said Hillman. “Then when you turn around, all you see is the ruble. It also got another barn that was further south.”

The Hillman family urges the public to use extreme caution Wednesday as an extreme fire danger is expected one again in western Oklahoma.

Just one spark can cost a family everything they’ve worked for and a lifetime of memories.

“Don’t be the person to cause somebody’s life to change in a matter of minutes,” said Hillman. “Don’t be that person. It’s not worth it. It takes two seconds just to dispose of things the right way.”

The family said they’re doing OK thanks to an outpouring of support from the community. They urged fellow Oklahomans to support your local fire department and make sure you have homeowner's insurance.

The Hillmans are still missing their two dogs, Mark and Mary. If you see them, contact your local law enforcement agency to help get them home.