Mandan couple burned in house explosion have long recovery ahead

MANDAN, N.D. — A Mandan husband and wife who were seriously injured when their home exploded this month are facing a lengthy recovery.

A GoFundMe page has been created to raise money for the couple, Levi and Susan Hawks, who suffered severe burns in the Jan. 18 blast.

"They lost everything they owned in the explosion and will have no place to return to when they do get released" from the hospital, Levi Hawks' sister Patsy Denham wrote on the GoFundMe page.

In a post made on Jan. 21, Denham said the couple were in a hospital burn unit in Minnesota and that Susan Hawks had burns over 84% of her body and was in critical condition. Denham said her brother had burns over 24% of his body.

"They currently face a long road of recovery extending to several months," Denham said, adding that no donation is too small.

An explosion was reported at the couple's home about 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 18, according to the Mandan Fire Department, which said the two people who were in the home were hospitalized for their injuries. The explosion remains under investigation.

Kevin Cuba, told the Bismarck Tribune that his mother, Susan Hawks, 62, underwent several surgeries.

Cuba said Levi Hawks, 85, suffered burns mostly on his hands and arms and that because he has diabetes the injuries could lead to other complications.

As of Friday, Jan. 27, the couple's GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/2acf6791 had raised $1,545 of its $300,000 goal.