Electrical fire causes house explosion

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By Steve Kuzj skuzj@nbcaugusta.com

Story Published: Nov 10, 2008 at 12:54 AM EST

Story Updated: Nov 10, 2008 at 10:59 AM EST

AIKEN, S.C. - While the Payton family was out taking a family portrait Saturday night, their house caught fire, exploded, and burned to the ground.

The powerful blast was heard over 8 miles away. The fire was still burning Sunday.

Investigators believe an electrical fire set off several oxygen tanks causing the explosion. The Paytons’ lost everything.

"They're taking it real hard,” Said Almar Atkinson. "The boy, he really took it hard. Their little puppy died. They had it for 6 years and it died in the fire."

Mrs. Payton's sister, Almar Atkinson took all seven members of the family under her roof—13 people now sleep in her trailer.

"They want to get out as soon as possible and in their own place,” said Atkinson. “Right now, we don't know how long that's gonna be or anything."

Local churches are donating clothes and food for the family. Atkinson says it's not certain yet if insurance will cover all of the family’s losses.

"They're hoping that people would step up and help them. They're praying and the lords in control, so we're waiting."

The Payton's may have lost their home and everything in it, but one thing they haven't lost is the loving support of their family. As Atkinson says, “Family sticks together.”

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