Fire destroys Wagoner family's future home

May 28—Ryan Keenom and his wife Jessica were to move in to their new home being built northwest of Wagoner in late June.

Those plans took a hit Monday.

In an incident authorities are calling "suspicious," the house burned to the ground Monday. Building materials such as flooring were in the house ready for the final installations before Keenom, Wagoner High School's defensive coordinator and head track coach, and his wife were to take occupancy.

"A couple months ago, less than a mile away there was a barn set on fire then a couple pastures set on fire," Keenom said Thursday. "My opinion — it's probably all connected and I pray and hope it wasn't someone I know. Just someone who was up to no good."

He said his insurance carrier told him they'll meet with him by Tuesday to assess the situation.

"The fire chief's words to me were that since no one was hurt, the state rarely does an investigation," he said.

The Keenoms purchased the land last fall. Construction was somewhat delayed due to material delays related to COVID-19, he said. The couple is paying on both the loan for the new house and rent of the house they occupy. Appliances were set to be delivered in the coming weeks.

But, with dramatic increases in building materials, the policy likely won't make up the difference.

"Just in the last six months with what went up it's about $20,000 more than we originally thought, but now it's probably $50-$60,000," he said.

The couple is two weeks away from their second wedding anniversary.

A GoFundMe account has been set up by relatives.

Anyone with information related to the fire can call Wagoner County Sheriff's Office at (918) 485-3124.

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