BEGGS, Okla. – The community of Beggs was left in shock after five community members were severely injured in a backyard explosion involving a smudge pot. One of those victims included an enrolled Muscogee citizen.
A smudge pot is used to protect plants from frost by burning oil that creates smoke.
Four out of five of the individuals were transported to the Hillcrest Burn Center by helicopter.
A Beggs coffee shop called Kanokie Coffeehouse has stepped up to help families.
Inside the coffee shop, owner Summer Lamborn has poster boards hanging on her wall with the names of the explosion victims.
The boards give patrons and community members a chance to leave written words of encouragement to the victims.
“I thought you know, if we just stick those up there and people want to leave a message, we can get them to the families and be able to get them up to their individual rooms.”
According to Lamborn, the boards have received so many words to the point where there is little blank space left.
“So many people have been asking about them, asking for updates,” Lamborn said.
The shop has taken it step further by collecting donations on behalf of the victims’ families during this time. They are asking Facebook friends and followers to donate bottled water and snacks.
Two of the victims involved a husband and wife that owned a neighboring business.
“I feel like that affects us daily not getting to see their faces,” Lamborn said. “We just want to help our neighbor.”
Lamborn claims the Beggs community comes together when a family is needed, everyone does their part.
“Everybody that’s coming in is wanting to help and wanting to give in some way,” Lamborn said.
Lamborn believes the season of giving is a time to give without expectation.
“That keeps us hopeful in humanity,” she said.
Donations for victims of the explosion can be dropped off at the shop located at 118 E Main St. Beggs, OK. Donors can also call Lamborn at 918-267-1700. The shop is open on Mondays from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m., Tuesdays – Fridays from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
