Family’s situation improves after blast

Co-workers and friends of the family gathered more than 24,000 signatures in support of the family.

SMITH — Things are looking up for the Woods family.

The father, Willard Woods, 44, has been upgraded from critical to fair condition in Cleveland MetroHealth Center. His wife, Megan, also 44, has been released, a hospital spokesperson said.

Willard and Megan were injured when the family’s home at 18515 W. Pine Lake Road in Smith Township blew up and burned Oct. 16.

Supporters of the Woods family have topped their own goal of signatures asking for help from “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

A formal, 17-page application for help from the popular show, along with a DVD, will soon be sent to ABC.

Two of their children, Jake and Jenessa, were treated for burns at the hospital after the explosion and were released.

The family had been living in a modular home that was destroyed. The state fire marshal’s office has not issued a ruling on the cause.

Three older daughters, Anastasia, Amanda and Evelyn, were not living at the family home at the time of the blast.

Four workers at The Copeland Oaks in Sebring, a retirement home, decided to try to interest the “Extreme Makeover” show to build a new home. Willard worked in the maintenance department at Copeland.

The four workers are: Hopeann Caughman, an administrative clerk; Susan Schoeni, a receptionist; Sharon Rouse, a bookkeeper; and Sheila Steer, a secretary.

Caughman said they had hoped to get 20,000 signatures of support, but got more than 24,000 signatures.

The four women issued a statement that said, “We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”