2 men hospitalized with severe burns after surviving explosion in Rogers County on July 4

Two men are in the hospital with severe burns after an explosion on the 4th of July. It happened in Rogers County along after one of the men cut into a 55-gallon barrel that used to hold windshield wiper fluid. It forced all lanes of Highway 66 and Highway 410 to close so a medical helicopter could land.

A celebration turned horrific situation

Melissa Negelein says her husband, Gerald, was putting the final touches on what was supposed to be a big Independence Day party. Gerald and his childhood friend, Larry, were trying to make a trash can out of an old 55-gallon drum that had contained windshield wiper fluid at one point.

"I heard a gigantic boom and my windows rattled," said Melissa. "I ran outside and my husband was on fire, rolling in the front yard."

Melissa says her husband has been a mechanic for 25 years.

"If he would've waited five more seconds, I don't think he would've done that," she said. "I think it was just a split decision to get a job done and it was a mistake. It was an accident."

Both men are badly burned

Gerald had to be flown from his Claremore home to a hospital. He is burned on 60% of his body with half of them being deep, third-degree burns.

"They're going to take skin from his back tomorrow to cover his other leg, then he's out of skin of his own to use," said Melissa. "We're waiting on donor skin."

Gerald is in a medically induced coma for the next two weeks. He has already gone through more surgery and many more are likely on the way.

Melissa got to hear from her husband before he went under.

"Right before they put him on a ventilator, he told me to keep the ball rolling," she said.

Melissa says Larry has third-degree burns on 30% of his body and will also have at least one surgery.

A long road to recovery

Gerald's neck and face should heal on their own but recovery could take as long as a year.

"I know he's not going to lay down," said Melissa. "I know he's going to fight hard. He's got a lot to fight for and he's going to."

Fundraisers to help the men

There are two online fundraisers to raise money for each of the men.

Larry GoFundMe

Gerald GoFundMe