Tragic Christmas Day Fire Claims Life Of Teague Youth
Two Family Members In Critical Condition
12/28/2011
A TRAGIC CHRISTMAS DAY FIRE on Filmore Street claimed the life of a Teague youth and critically injured his mother and sister. Authorities are refusing to release any information about the fire because it is still under investigation. The fire occurred approximately 4:30 p.m. and completely gutted the home.
A Christmas Day fire resulted in the death of three year old Steven Thomas Williams III of Teague and sent two year old Lydia Rayna Williams and parents Steven Thomas Williams II, 24, and Amanda Williams, 22, to the burn unit at Parkland Hospital in Dallas.
As of early morning, December 27th Steven Thomas Williams reportedly was in good condition and Lydia Williams was reported in stable but critical condition. Amanda Williams, however, was reported to be in critical condition and on a respirator.
Steven Thomas and Amanda Williams of Filmore Street in Teague were spending Christmas Day with their family when fire broke out. The fire spread very quickly and the home was completely destroyed along with the entire contents.
It was reported to The Teague Chronicle on Thursday, December 29 that local volunteer fire departments responded very quickly and were on the scene within 4 minutes after the call was made. The firemen did a wonderful and valiant job of rescuing the survivors and extinguishing the fire.
Mr. Williams is in the military having finished basic training, prior to coming home for Christmas, at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri.
According to the children's maternal grandmother, the family had returned from an early morning Christmas get-together and laid down for a nap when the fire broke out in the living room. Mr. Williams woke to find his wife on fire. He tried to get to the children but the fire was between he and his wife and the children. Teague Fire Department arrived quickly, but not in time to save the son. Please click the "Letters To The Editor" link at the left side of this webpage and read a letter from Sherri Gregory, which gives more information about this horrible event as well as valuable fire tips for people dwelling in an older mobile home.
The Williams family has lost everything in the fire. The Teague Nursing Home, where grandparents Charlotte Comeau-Gonzales and Gilbert Gonzales work, have made themselves available to help with donations of clothing and household items for the family. They have alerted the Red Cross at Waco and also at Ft. Hood as well as the Army Emergency Relief office there.
Clothes for Mr. Williams are: shirts-large; 32x34 pants, 9 ? shoe; for baby Lydia ? 3T and infant size 6 shoe; Amanda will need gowns.
A fund has been set up at Citizens State Bank in Teague. Monetary donations are being accepted under Charlotte Comeau FBO (for benefit of) Steven Thomas Williams III. In giving please remember that the family will be traveling between Teague and Dallas for a very long time.
Stephanie Bivins is the lead agent for contact at Teague Nursing Home, 254-723-9613, or Administrator Ray Chapman at his office, 254-739-2541 or his cell at 214-538-4439.
The family is asking everyone to remember them in prayer.