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Grandfather says children will survive morning fire

Posted at 6:21 AM, Feb 21, 2013
and last updated 2013-02-21 12:27:45-05

HANOVER COUNTY, VA. (WTVR) - Two children who escaped from a burning one-story home are expected to be okay, according to their grandfather.

Curtis Sheppersonowns the home that caught fire early Thursday morning along the 8200 block of Bultaco Trail in Hanover County.Shepperson's daughter lives there with her three children.

Shepperson said his 11-year-old grandson suffered cuts and second-degree burns. He said the boy is undergoing surgery and should make a full recovery.

The 11-year-old  had been to VCU Medical Center many times before. He was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was two, said Shepperson. The cancer has been in remission for five years.

Shepperson said doctors planned to keep his nine-month-old granddaughter, who suffered smoke inhalation, in the hospital overnight for observation due to her age.

A seven-year-old child, who was also in the home, was taken to the hospital as a precaution.  She is expected to be released Thursday.

The Hanover Sheriff's Department said the mother and two girls were able to escape the home through a window, but the boy was saved by deputies who entered the smoke-filled home when they arrived on scene.  He was pulled to safety from the burning home.

"It was amazing that he went in there to get him," said Shepperson about whoever pulled his grandson out.  "I really appreciate it very, very much."

Shepperson said he hopes to meet the deputy or deputies who pulled Skylar out.

Sgt. Chris Whitley with the Hanover Sheriff's Office told CBS 6 four deputies who entered the home were taken to Memorial Regional Hospital because of smoke inhalation, but all were released in good condition.

When firefighters arrived at the home around 3:00 a.m., they found a fire in the bedroom. Fire officials said crews were able to quickly put out the fire. Investigators are now working to figure out what started the fire.

Last year, CBS 6 reported on Shepperson's fight to keep six chimpanzees on his private farm near Mechanicsville.