Wanda Hayes of Oakwood lost the house she lived in and all of her belongings after fire swept through the home last Saturday night. Fire officials say the blaze started in the kitchen. Patty Pratt photo When Wanda Hayes of Oakwood realized her house was on fire, her first though was to get out and call 911.

Once outside safe with her 21-year old son, she thought to herself “What are we going to do now with no money.”

According to officials the house was a total loss. The fire started in the kitchen around 9 p.m. Saturday Jan. 21 and then proceeded to burn through the rest of the house gutting it.

Hayes and her son lost everything except the clothing on their backs.

“My son came into my room and said ‘Mama the house is on fire’.” Hayes explained. “I ran to the kitchen to see what I could do and all I could do was get out.”

Since Saturday, Hayes has been looking for a place for her and her son to live.

“I am worried about finding a place to stay with in my price range,” Hayes explained. “I don’t think that I am going to find a deal like I found with this place. I lost my job in July and began working in Teague on Oct. 11. I am not making the money that I was making at my last job.”

Hayes and her son are now living with Hayes’ mother until they can find a place of their own. Hayes also has a daughter in college that she sends money to.

“Being a single parent is hard,” Hayes said.

Hayes place of employment, Teague Nursing Home, has stepped in and helped.

“We are taking donations of all kinds,” said Stephanie Bivins, Admissions Coordinator for Teague Nursing Home. “We have set up a jar for monetary donations at The Store in Butler and at the Teague Nursing Home.”

Bivins also helped Hayes open a benefit account in Hayes’ name at Wells Fargo in Fairfield.

“We are doing all that we can to help,” Bivins said.

“I appreciate all the help that I can get,” Hayes said.