The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

On the night of January 18, a little after 6 p.m. many lives were forever changed when a gas can exploded at a residence on Oak Street.

Don Pierce had warned everyone to stand back as he poured gas on the fire. It was something that Pierce had done hundreds of times, and never once imagined it could end up like this. Don, his sister Kathy Pierce, friend Steve Ballard, and a few others were outside near the fire; suddenly there was a very loud explosion. Many neighbors heard the blast and came out to see what was happening; one neighbor who is friends with the family ran over and rolled Don over to put out the flames that covered his entire body.

The scene was nightmarish. Those who were injured were disoriented, in shock and nearly paralyzed with fear, however all victims had one common goal: to save Don.

Ballard, who was very badly burned, managed to hook up the hose and assist in putting the fire out. Kathy Pierce was thrown onto the deck from the blast and was screaming for her brother. Sue Pierce was in the house at the time, she saw Kathy fully engulfed in flames and quickly used a blanket to put her out.

There was a hero who witnessed the event, a young boy was present at the time of the explosion, and he ran inside and called 911. He had minor burns and is working on processing the emotional trauma.

The paramedics arrived and did an outstanding job staying calm, securing the scene, helping the victims, and directing neighbors to assist when needed.

"A neighbor, who is a veteran, held cold presses on my hands, comforted me, and allowed me to cry on his shoulder," said the neighbor who assisted. "Another neighbor was a nurse, and she sat with Don as we waited to paramedics to arrive."

Four victims were taken to St. Charles Medical Center, Don and Kathy Pierce, Steve Ballard, and the neighbor Nessa Wilson, who burned her hands.

The neighbor was in shock emotionally, and had second- and third-degree burns on her hands, and was released that night. Don was flown to a burn center in Portland immediately after being flown to St. Charles; the nurses asked his wife, Sue, to see him before they flew him out, she had no idea this would be the last time she saw her husband.

He passed away around 3 a.m. that morning.

Kathy and Steve were severely burned and flown to the burn center as well. They were battling for their lives. On March 7, Kathy Pierce lost her battle. On this same day, Steve was released from the hospital. He is currently recovering from the burns and procedures that were necessary to keep him alive, and has a long road toward full recovery ahead of him.

Don and Sue lived in Redmond prior to moving to Sisters a little over a year ago. Don had recently moved his sister Kathy Pierce in with him and his wife. He wanted to be closer to her and take care of her; she had a difficult life, and a very kind soul.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Don and spaghetti feed fundraiser on April 27 at the Redmond Moose Lodge at 1 p.m. The Sisters community is invited to celebrate his life and share beautiful memories. There is also an account set up for donations at U.S. Bank Downtown Bend branch; make donations to Dorothy Sue Pierce, account #153666457426.

Assistance is needed to help with medical bills and funeral costs. Don is survived by his wife, Sue.

Kathy Pierce was not prepared for her departure, and her family is unable to assist with any of the cost related to her death.

The family needs help raising money to provide cremation services, burial, and end-of-life procedures. An account has been set up to assist in gathering donations to help with this as well, and to gather funds to assist Steve with past and ongoing medical expenses. This account is for the Oak Street fire victims set up at Bank of the Cascades Sisters branch, account #15830.

The survivors said, "We want to thank the Sisters fire department and paramedics, as well as all the volunteers that were supportive and helped us throughout this horrific event."