Somerton, OH – On March 19th former Somerton resident, Jason Gallagher, son of Shelia Faye Ankrom and Harold Jimmy Gallagher, lost his home and much more to a propane gas explosion North of Chickasha, Oklahoma. A propane leak in the house caused an explosion, destroying all of his possessions, and tragically claiming the life of his wife’s aunt.
On the day of the accident Jason and his wife, Mindy, were on vacation. Mindy’s mother, Leah, was at home with the Gallagher’s three children when she smelled something faint, but strange. She began investigating the house, but couldn’t figure out what the smell was or where it was coming from. She called her sister, Katie White, over to see if she could help her figure out what it was.
Upon entering the house White knew that the smell was propane. Immediately she said they had to get out. They first went to get the children out, and told them to get into the car and shut the doors. As the two women were running out of the house, it exploded, killing Katie instantly and trapping Leah under the roof.
It was thanks to some neighbors that Leah made it out of the rubble with only a broken femur. The group was able to pull both Katie and Leah away from the flames, effectively saving Leah’s life.
As the family struggles with the aftermath, Jason Gallagher says that despite how awful things have been, it’ll all be okay.
We’ll get through it, said Gallagher. Right now we’re just trying to rebuild. I just thank God that at least my sons and mother-in-law made it out okay.
Things have been rough for the family, but they’ve been grateful to have some people willing to help them.
People from here and some friends from Barnesville have been really outstanding with clothes for the kids and us, said Gallagher.
Gallagher said that when the house went up they lost everything, including two cars. His family has been thankful for all the donations being made.
There are still big items left to get. A car, washer, dryer. But I don’t expect anyone to just show up and drop off a car. We just really appreciate the donations coming in, said Gallagher.
Anyone who would like to donate to the family may do so by going to their gofundme page at www.gofundme.com/pdntao or by stopping at or calling City National Bank at 866-385-3444.