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Light One Candle: Family recovering from traumatic Halloween fire By Buffy Pollock Dec 11, 2022 01:30 AM A A 3 View all photos Family members recently revisited the site of their former home, where 26-year-old Ostynn Cotton nearly lost his life after waking family members in time to escape a raging house fire. Left to right: Bryce Cotton, Christopher Hunnel (holding Logan Cotton), Ostynn Cotton, Carma Cotton, Brandy Conaway. [courtesy photo] Ostynn Cotton looks through the ashes of his former home during a recent visit to feed farm animals still being kept on the property. The 26-year-old spent nearly six weeks in a burn unit after the fire. [courtesy photo] Editor’s note: Light One Candle is an annual series sponsored by the Mail Tribune that focuses on an individual, group or organization who could use a helping hand during the holiday season. Once that need is filled, donations may be distributed to others in need. An Applegate family who endured a devastating fire and the loss of their home say they’ll simply be grateful to be together as a family this holiday season. Living in a multigenerational home for several years after a stint with homelessness, the family had built stability at their rental home near Ruch, tending a small hobby farm and watching grandchildren play with dogs, piglets, chickens and other animals. A devastating fire, just hours after heading to bed on Halloween night, turned their world upside down. A faulty electrical panel sparked a fire that burned the house to the ground in a matter of minutes, and the family lost nearly everything, except for one another and a few of their beloved pets. Brandy Conaway and her extended family woke up to her 26-year-old son, Ostynn Cotton, banging on walls. The house was fully engulfed when Cotton awoke just after 2 a.m., and he nearly burned to death as he screamed and pounded to alert family members just in time for them to get outside. Trapped by flames in his upstairs bedroom, he was forced to jump from a second story window, suffering serious spinal injuries in addition to severe burns on 40% of his body. Six weeks later, Cotton was released from a burn unit in Portland to continue healing at home but he faces months of rehabilitation, likely longer before he can return to work. Living in a borrowed fifth wheel on a family member’s property, the six family members are still searching for a place to live while driving each day to feed their surviving animals at the site of the burned rental home. Conaway said the family, still battling nightmares and the aftermath of the fire, have a long road ahead but are taking things “one day at a time.” As for Cotton, he said it’s hard to get his mind around all that has happened. “It's still not real for me,” said the young father. “The smell gives me flashbacks, and I can't be (at the house) for very long without them getting too bad. It almost trips a panic attack. I have to kind of wander around or go sit in the barn when it gets too bad. It’s just really hard.” Family Nurturing Center, where the family has received services for Cotton’s two special needs toddlers, nominated the family for this year’s Light One Candle series. Family Nurturing Center provides intensive, individualized support to stabilize and strengthen families and to help keep children safe in their parents’ care. Ellen Marks, of the Family Nurturing Center, said staff members were devastated to learn of the fire after her organization has served the family for several years. Despite all the trauma, Marks said the family has an indomitable spirit. “I've worked with the family for over five years, since before Carma was born. They've been through way more than their share of difficult times, and all of us at FNC were heartbroken about the fire. I am moved by how well they seem to be recovering,” she said. “They take care of each other and keep their sense of humor no matter what life throws their way.” To help this family continue to recover, and to rebuild, Marks said comfort items for all the family members, replacement household items and basic supplies would be appreciated. Suggested items include the following: Appliances, including an Instant Pot, air fryer, griddle, KitchenAid mixer, vacuum cleaner, microwave and a freezer; Household furniture, beds, bedding, blankets, pillows, “fuzzy blankets,” canning supplies, a fire safe for documents, hair stuff for little girls, kitchen supplies, food storage containers, cleaning supplies, storage bins, first-aid kit supplies, toiletries, laundry supplies (unscented) and a label maker; Sensory toys for the kids, diapers and wipes (size 5 diapers and size 7 Pull-Ups); Clothing for family members in sizes including men’s pants (36x32, 38x32, 42x32); women’s pants (size 26); girls’ pants and shirts (size 7/8); toddler boys’ (4/5T); men’s shirts (XL, 2XL, 3XL); women’s shirts (3X); men’s shoes (size 13 and 14); girls’ shoes (size 13); and boys’ toddler shoes (size 10) For drop-off info, or to contribute, contact Marks at 541-841-2649. To contribute to the family’s GoFundMe, or for updates on their story, see gofundme.com/f/family-in-need-after-total-loss-fire?qid=18bf83271ee7d895113c1fdad9a41ca6