By DAVID CLOUSTON

Special to The Hays Daily News

KIRWIN -- Part of a prayer service at Kirwin United Methodist Church on Wednesday night was a healing service, where those gathered laid hands on two men standing in for two critically injured Kirwin firefighters recuperating in a Kearney, Neb., hospital.

"One of the guys woke up today," Pastor Nancy Harris-Ott said Thursday. "Maybe we connected. I hope so."

She was referring to firefighter Chester Peak, who was hit by the back doors of an exploding tractor-trailer Tuesday night, a disaster that injured six firefighters, destroyed two fire trucks and plunged this community of about 200 into a state of shock.

Peak and fellow firefighter Rex Lowe were airlifted to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Peak suffered head injuries and a broken nose, while Lowe suffered serious wounds to his back.

By mid-afternoon Thursday, family members of the men were reporting -- through an Internet journal they had set up to keep friends and relatives apprised of their condition -- that Peak woke up, out-muscled three people and took out his own ventilator tube.

"He's talking. He said that he's tired of lying around," the journal entry said. He later was able to stay awake long enough to move from his bed to a chair, with assistance.

Lowe also was reported to be awake and talking after his ventilator was removed.

"We are working on getting him new glasses and his laptop so he will be able to feel your love," a journal entry said. A later entry noted Lowe got out of bed, took a shower, walked down the hall and even had someone get him a cheeseburger and fries.

Peak still officially was listed in critical condition at the hospital Thursday and Lowe in serious condition.

The two men were the most seriously hurt in the incident.

Officials said flaming debris from the wooden roof of the town's water tower, which was being repaired, showered down and caught the back tires of the semitrailer on fire about 7 p.m. Tuesday. The fire built and sparked two explosions inside the enclosed trailer -- which contained an acetylene gas welding cylinder and flammable liquids -- catching the firefighters standing outside the trailer by surprise.

In addition to Low and Peak, four other Kirwin firefighters were taken to area hospitals and released after treatment.

Two firefighting trucks from the Kirwin department were heavily damaged. Both were grass-fire-response units with small water tanks and pumps on board.

By Thursday, there already were efforts under way to help the injured and the Kirwin volunteer fire department recuperate financially from the devastating loss.

The Plainville Fire Department is organizing a barbecue fundraiser to support the victims and their department. An account for donations also was set up at Farmers National Bank in Phillipsburg.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Mr. K's Food Town at Jefferson and South First streets in Plainville, barbecue will be sold, with the proceeds going to the Kirwin Fire Department, said Plainville Fire Chief Craig Wise.

"We had our own trouble in April with losing equipment and having firemen hurt," he said. "We want to help. They're firefighters just like us, and that's what we can do."

Wise was referring to oil tank fires in April north of Codell that sent six firefighters to the hospital and destroyed two trucks and two oil tanks. Investigators suspected that fire was ignited by a lightening strike.

Elda Lyon and her husband, Loren, run the L&E Cafe in Kirwin, and they're also planning a benefit. The benefit will be from 5 to 8 p.m. July 28 at the restaurant. On the menu will be hamburgers, potato salad and baked beans. All proceeds will go to the victims' families.

"I figure that's the least we can do. I heard today that they're doing better, but those families are going to need help," Elda Lyon said.

The couple have operated the cafe in Kirwin for more than 12 years.

"These people are good customers of mine -- all of them and their families. So I want to show my regard for them," she said.

Harris-Ott said about 40 people attended the Wednesday night service, which included scripture, prayers and the laying on of hands. Peak is a member of her congregation. Lowe is a member of the Kensington United Methodist Church. His pastor, Becky Saddler, also participated in the service, which lasted for about 45 minutes.

"We all came together when we needed each other, because everybody is concerned," Harris-Ott said. She described the community as "having a little post-traumatic stress right now."

The blast and the aftermath was echoing beyond Kirwin, to other cities, including Salina, where some of the victims are known for their participation with the Boy Scouts. Lowe has been a ranger and camp director for the Dane G. Hansen Scout Reservation, southwest of Kirwin.

"I talked to Rex's son this morning, and he said that they took the ventilator out and all the signs were looking positive," said Wayne Pancoast, acting scout executive for the Coronado Area Council of Boy Scouts, based in Salina. "His prognosis was good."

As camp ranger, Lowe was the full-time staff person who takes care of the Hansen facility, Pancoast said. Lowe also was the director for the camp summer program the past two years.

Dan Johnson, another firefighter who was treated and released, also is a scouting volunteer and had helped in the past with the national Scout Jamboree in Washington. Peak's wife also is a cubmaster for a Cub Scout pack in Kirwin, Pancoast said.

What you can do

Barbecue fundraiser: Organized by the Plainville Fire Department, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Mr. K's Food Town, Jefferson and South First streets in Plainville.

Farmers National Bank in Phillipsburg: Donations account has been set up.

L&E Cafe in Kirwin: Benefit planned from 5 to 8 p.m. July 28, serving hamburgers, potato salad and baked beans.

Offer encouragement: www.caringbridge.org/visit/rex-chester/journal