Young Boy & His Grandma Injured in Fire
The community is rallying around a family following a house fire that left both 7-year-old Hunter and his grandmother, Rose Peterson, with significant injuries.
The fire occurred on the morning of Sunday, February 14th, at Rose’s mobile home in Gwinner. Hunter sensed something was wrong, relaying his feeling to his grandmother. They didn’t have long before the whole house was engulfed in flames. Rose went to the front door hoping to get them both to safety, but when
she opened it, she was pushed outside by a burst of flames. Outside, it was about -20ºF. Hunter found himself trapped inside the home. He was finally able to escape the burning home by climbing through a window.
Rose sustained burns on her arm and frostbite on her feet, having walked and crawled barefoot to the neighbor’s home for help. Hunter suffered a gash on his head, as well as second and third degree burns on his face, shoulders and fingers.
Following the fire, Hunter was airlifted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, for medical care. He’s been handling things well, Kitt Haberman says, and is in good spirits considering the situation.
She is Rose’s sister. Hunter’s mother—Kitt’s niece Christina—has taken unpaid leave in order to stay by his side during what could be a months-long treatment in the burn unit. He will require skin grafts on his arms, Kitt says, and will remain hospitalized for a number of weeks.
Kitt organized a GoFundMe fundraiser to raise money for Hunter’s and Rose’s medical expenses and other expenses incurred by the fire.
Valley City’s Jefferson Elementary Principal Troy Miller said that the student councils at Valley City Public Schools held a special fundraiser to benefit Hunter and his family. Through accepting free-will donations for a Hat Day, the students raised $4,729.44.
Kitt is hopeful that with the support of family, friends and neighbors, Hunter and Rose will be able to move forward from this tragedy in time and not struggle financially because of it. Rose’s home was a total loss, and she also lost two dogs, two cats, two iguanas and a bunny in the fire, which the family now suspects was caused by a faulty extension cord.
To donate to the fundraiser for Hunter and Rose, visit GoFundMe. com and search “Help Hunter and Grandma Rose After Fire” organized by Kitt Haberman and Christina Dickinson.