18 Homes Damaged in McClain County Fires

Staff and Wire Reports

DIBBLE, Oklahoma - Midway Baptist Church in Dibble provided shelter for evacuees from McClain and Garvin counties Thursday night.

Near Lindsay, about 55 miles south of Oklahoma City, 18 homes were damaged or destroyed, said Eric Johnson, the city manager of Purcell. The homes were located between Lindsay, in Garvin County, and Purcell, in neighboring McClain County.

Winds gusted between 55 and 62 mph in the vicinity of the fires, but blew as strong as 76 mph in southwestern Oklahoma, according to the National Weather Service.

Over 12 square miles were charred in McClain County. Residents are trying to pick up the pieces as crews continue to assess the damages.

Sonnie Vinson showed up to the home she was raised in and found it charred to the ground. Among the rubble she found a powerful message and what she calls a miracle, that her and her family are safe and alive.

She said she didn't bring anything in the world but herself and she's not taking anything out. Everything will turn to ashes in the end, Vinson said, so she is at peace despite losing her childhood home.