Mannford Woman Thanks Hero Next Door for Saving Home - KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - News, Weather & Sports

Mannford Woman Thanks Hero Next Door for Saving Home

A Mannford woman is still reeling weeks after fires ravaged the area. She is desperate to thank her neighbor who she said saved her home from the flames.

Ulonda Claxton said her neighbor, Chris Varner, is a volunteer firefighter. She said after she had evacuated her home, Varner took it upon himself to fight the fire quickly approaching her house. He used a tractor to pull her steps off her porch when they caught fire. Then, she said, he used a hose to dampen the area around her house.

It has been several weeks since the fires, but Claxton is still without water in her home. She lost her shed too. Despite it all, she said she ultimately feels "blessed."

"I think that God sent earthly and heavenly angels and protected our homes," said Claxton. "I really do."

Claxton still has not had the chance to thank Varner in person. She said she does not know Varner very well.

Channel 8 spoke with Varner over the phone Wednesday. He said he was simply doing what he was trained to do and did not want to speak on camera with us. Claxton said he did not want to acknowledge himself as a hero because he is very humble.