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Unlikely hero helps family in time for the holidays

A Saint Francois Paramedic helps a family get back on their feet after their home was destroyed by a fire.
Credit: viewer photo
Deanna Gidden and her family

Two weeks before Christmas, a Saint Francois County paramedic is trying to restore the magic of the holidays for a family who lost their home in a fire.

Deanna Gidden only had enough time to grab her 8-year-old daughter and her friend before escaping her burning home in the early morning of Dec. 2.

She was awakened around 2 a.m. from a loud banging noise in which she initially thought was a someone breaking in. She quickly saw the flames in her kitchen and living room.

"I fell into the doorway and I saw the glow of the fire," Gidden said.

"I took them through the fire. There was like a path."

Once the girls were safe, the mother went back into the inferno for something else dear to her heart.

“I went back in and got my oldest daughters baby book,” the mother said.

“She had passed away and I always sleep with it.”

Now Giddens finds strength from her energetic and optimistic daughter.

"The whole time she kept saying 'Mommy it's OK, it's OK,' ” she said.

“I don't care. As long as I have you, I don't need any of my stuff."

Her daughter isn’t the only hero in her life. Ryan Hill is a paramedic with the Saint Francois County Ambulance district.

“(Hill) has called or texted me every day,” Gidden said.

“Just to make sure we are OK. He doesn't have to do that, he doesn’t know me.”

He was one of the many first responders who was at the scene of the fire.


"I was initially trying to make an impact or a silver lining for a little girl that lost all her Christmas gifts,” Hill said.

He can relate to the Gidden’s struggles because they both have daughters around the same age.

"You just want to know you can make a difference,” Hill said.

“To alter someone’s life in a very short span of time just inspires you.

Several organizations have already answered the call to help.

Children’s Hospital Transport team, Farmington Imos, American Family Insurance in Farmington, St. Francois County Ambulance District, Leadwood Fire Department, Desloge Walmart and the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department have all contributed gifts and support to the family.

The family is really in need of the everyday essentials. You can drop off money or gift cards at several locations below.

Farmington Imos: 552 Walmart Dr, Farmington, MO 63640

American Family Insurance – Harry Peterson: 700 W Karsch Blvd, Farmington, MO 63640

Saint Francois County Ambulance District: 624 Wallace Road, Farmington, MO 63640

Saint Francois County Ambulance District House #4: 2600 Anchor Drive, Park Hills, MO

If you would like to help, follow the link to the gofundme page. 



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