MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

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July 20, 2010

Loss of child’s life in fire a tragedy

— Sometimes fires claim lives.

Firefighters know this, and yet they risk their lives every time they leave their station.

When a call came in around 9:30 Monday morning that a structure was on fire in the 700 block of South 30th Street, firefighters knew tragedy could be around the corner.

And when the life of a 2-year-old boy was taken by the blaze, it is understandable a distraught grandmother could express her grief with an accusation.

It is impossible for us to grasp the depth of Cathy Gardenhire’s anguish.

In the emotional moments of Monday morning, Gardenhire’s reaction was forgivable.

We feel sure firefighters understood her heartache as well.

Gardenhire said Tuesday she knows firefighters did all they could.

“I know any one of our firefighters would have put his life on the line if they could have only got that baby out,” Fire Chief Derek Tatum said. “We hate this almost as bad as any because we relate what happened to our own families.”

We hope firefighters accept her delayed thanks the way we hope she will accept their condolences.

If it is possible for any good to come from Monday morning, we hope parents everywhere take the time to address fire safety with their children.

We hope parents use this as a lesson for their children and themselves that will help save lives in the future.

There is a special place in heaven for children — their lives are cut short far too early.

There also is a special place waiting for those willing to sacrifice their lives in the defense of another.

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