On Friday afternoon, James and Loisjean Fossen, of Watson, were traveling down Highway 23 in their RV on their way to Lake Shetek for a camping trip. In their RV were their godson’s two children and their Pomeranian dog. In front of them on the highway was another RV with their godson Chris Dornbusch (also of Watson), his wife, Connie, and their daughter along with a friend.
“We were just going down the road, going to have a good time, and laughing,” says Loisjean.
One mile north of Cottonwood, Chris pulled over on the highway to check on the children in their camper, and Loisjean and Jim pulled over behind them.
When Chris exited his vehicle, he saw that the Fossens’ RV was on fire.
“He got on the CB to tell us we were on fire, and about that time we saw and smelled the smoke,” says Loisjean.
It was when she looked over at her husband that Loisjean noticed flames outside the vehicle on that side.
“My husband yelled for everybody to run,” she said.
Her godson’s children were seated at a table behind the front seats in the RV. Jordan and Nicholas got out of the vehicle right away, but didn’t run, rather they stayed to help make sure Loisjean and James made it out okay.
Loisjean got the dog out of the vehicle, and then, she says, “I hurried up and got to the door and hollered to them just run. Keep running.”
“Those kids were so brave and loving and caring … to make sure we got out,” she said.
Once out of the vehicle, all ran safely away from the vehicle, which was by then becoming engulfed in flames.
“I looked back and there was so much smoke,” said Loisjean.
The Cottonwood Fire Department responded to the scene, where the RV was already engulfed. They put out the fire, but the vehicle was a complete loss.
“A couple of the firemen welcomed us to their homes to wait,” says Loisjean.
Chris and Connie were determined the Fossens were going to have the good weekend they set out to have, and so they returned to Watson where they hooked a pick-up camper to a truck, got new clothes and more supplies and set out on their camping trip, despite their near tragedy.
“It was the best therapy,” says Loisjean. “To get out and have a good time.”
The cause of the fire is unknown, and Loisjean says they may not ever know. The RV was checked over recently.
About their near escape, Loisjean says, “I figured, if Chris wouldn’t have pulled over … we were really very lucky.”
