Beckville, TX – Members of the community are holding a benefit for two Beckville residents injured July 9 in a propane explosion.
Jimmy Armstrong and Tammy Herrington were injured when the flame from a lighter ignited propane gas that had been leaking from the stove in a camper trailer.
Officials said Armstrong was lighting a cigarette when the explosion occurred around 4:30 a.m.
Armstrong and Herrington were taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview, then transferred to a burn unit at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, where they are in critical care. Both received second and third degree burns over 100 percent of their bodies.
The benefit will be Sept. 15 at The Barr, 3124 Estes Pkwy. Baked goods and barbecue will be on sale. An auction, a drawing, and musical entertainment also are planned.
Organizers are accepting monetary donations or contributions for the auction. All proceeds will be used to pay for mounting medical expenses.
For information, or to help, contact Sam Tompkins at (903) 521-2295, Belinda Tompkins at (512) 751-1805, or Regina Cowan at (903) 263-6691.