Fundraisers set up for Ragley family after home explosion

Magnolia Baptist Church is accepting monetary donations for a Ragley family whose home exploded over the weekend. A 16-year-old teenager was killed in the explosion and five others were injured.

Donations may be made by check to Magnolia Baptist Church at 1922 Magnolia Church Road, Ragley, LA 70657; on PayPal at davidfree71449@yahoo.com; or in person during one of the church’s worship services.

“Our church’s leadership team will oversee the transparency of these funds and ensure that this family is able to receive every cent that is donated,” said Pastor David Free in a Facebook posting. “While their needs are still being assessed we know that in the coming days and weeks this family will need financial support as caregivers travel to hospitals that extend far away from their hometown.”

Free said the family is facing “a very lengthy road of recovery ahead and, as many have heard, with loss of life this family will be in mourning.”

He asked for continued prayers for the family.

A GoFundMe account — Support Katherine (KD) Smith and family — has also been created. More than $17,000 has been raised so far.

State Fire Marshal Chief Bryan J Adams said just before 10 a.m. Saturday morning, Beauregard Fire District No. 2 crew members responded to a report of a residential explosion in the 1100 block of Pullin Road.

He said when firefighters arrived, they found a large debris field and several injured survivors. There were seven people in the home at the time of the explosion. A toddler — the only person not hospitalized — is being cared for by relatives, Adams said.

The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office has not identified the family members involved.

“This is an unimaginable tragedy for this family and community,” Adams said. “This investigation is still very much active, but we have a top-notch team working diligently to get as many answers for this family as possible.”

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