Just days before Christmas, a 38-year-old father tragically lost his life while attempting to save three of his family members from a house fire, leaving his community heartbroken.
Matthew Wright tragically died on December 16 after running into his home to save his fiancée and two of their five children. The Pratt Police Department reported that emergency crews were dispatched at 2:38 p.m. to a structure fire on the 700 block of West Third Street in Pratt, Kansas.
As reported by KWCH 12 News, Wright arrived home to find it consumed by flames. Believing his fiancée, Megan, and their children were still trapped inside, he acted without hesitation, running into the blazing structure.
Pratt police noted that by the time firefighters arrived, a mother and her two children had escaped from their home with only minor injuries. Tragically, Wright’s heroic effort came at a devastating cost.
Firefighters later pulled Wright from the flames, but he succumbed to his injuries. Authorities later revealed that the tragedy was sparked by an “accidental electrical fire.”
Wright’s fiancée and their five children — Jaylen, Elijah, Darius, Quinton, and Quinn — are now mourning his loss, a tragedy that has deeply affected the Pratt community.
Charles Coffman Jr., a close family friend, shared that Wright’s actions exemplified his selflessness. “Without hesitation I know he didn’t think, blink, or had any concern about himself, he was worried about his family, and he went in there to get them,” Coffman said.
Coffman also reflected on Wright’s unwavering devotion to his children, recalling how he often spoke about them with pride. “He’d do anything he could, you know? He loved them, he showed them affection. He’d always like to see a smile on their face,” he recounted.
Wright’s cousin, Roger Harris, wrote on Facebook, “This week, my cousin Matthew Wright made the ultimate sacrifice, laying down his life to protect his family as their house was on fire.” He expressed a deep sense of loss, reflecting on the close bond they had shared during their childhood.
Harris also urged others to keep the family in their prayers as they navigate the aftermath of this devastating tragedy, highlighting the financial challenges the family faces due to Wright not having life insurance.
In response to the tragedy, the Pratt community has rallied around Wright’s grieving family. A GoFundMe campaign organized by a neighbor, Sally Cookson, has raised $6,491 as of this writing.
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The campaign’s goal is to ensure Wright receives the “dignified farewell” he deserves, while also providing for the futures of his five children. “If you feel moved to contribute, any donation, no matter how small, would mean the world to us,” Cookson shared.
In addition to the GoFundMe campaign, a local donation option has been established through The Wright Family Fund at People’s Bank and Trust in Pratt. Funeral services for Matthew Wright are scheduled for December 28.
As his family and friends come to terms with this devastating loss, the support pouring in from Pratt serves as a testament to Wright’s selflessness and the enduring legacy of his love.
