Dozens of people lined the Greene County High School parking lot Sunday afternoon to welcome home one of the two victims from a New Year’s Day fire.

Fourteen-year-old Lucas Oakes suffered serious burns to mainly his hands and face after he put out a fire that was on 15-year-old Harley McDonald early New Year’s Day when a cabin caught fire at 1178 H Avenue. Both teens were eventually air lifted to the burn unit in Iowa City as Oakes was in serious condition and McDonald was in critical condition. Oakes was released this past Saturday and on Sunday was treated to applause, cheering and comments from friends and family at the high school parking lot in Jefferson.

The Greene County Sheriff’s Office is continuing the investigation, but Sheriff Jack Williams told Raccoon Valley Radio the cause is believed to be from a wood burning stove.

McDonald remains in Iowa City and the families have set up a Facebook page and a CaringBridge page for anyone to continue to follow updates on the condition of the two boys. Additionally, there will be a benefit spaghetti dinner on January 22nd from 4:30-7pm at the Scranton Community Center for a free will donation and there are bank accounts in both names at Peoples Bank accepting donations at any bank location.

Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076948745475

CaringBridge: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/harleyde314