NORTH AUGUSTA – Her grandfather, the Rev. Richard Mims, had built the family home in 1954 and now it was gone, steadily being consumed by the flames before her.

Shea Jackson was stunned by the burning reality.

“Unbelievable,” she said as members of the County Line and Merriwether Fire Departments worked to contain the flames to the devastated home. “You’re watching (television) one minute and don’t have a roof over your head the next. It happened just that quickly.”

The fire started after 2:30 a.m. drawing assets from the nearby departments along with other volunteer firemen in the area.

Many residents in the area were shaken around 2:45 a.m. – some as far as two miles away – by a loud booming noise that signaled the explosion of oxygen tanks located inside the home.

But by that time, Jackson and her family, including her mother and daughter and son, were safe outside.

“It went BOOM, and I knew that it was the oxygen tanks, but we were out of there when that happened,” she said. “But it was real loud.”

No one was seriously injured, although Jackson’s mother was to be transported to a local hospital for possible tests and treatment for smoke inhalation and minor burns. Jackson’s son was slightly injured as he had to break down a window to exit the home.

“The scariest part was not being able to get to (my son),” Jackson added. “It’s just unbelievable. We lost everything.”

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The Citizen News will accept clothing items and necessities for this family. You may drop off items during regular business hours or call 803-341-5113. Their sizes include the following:

Mom – Shirts 2X .. 20/22 .. 9.5 shoe ..

Teenage Daughter – Shirts 1X .. 20/22 pants .. 9.5 shoes ..

Teenage Son – 1X Shirts .. 36-38 pants .. 10 shoes ..