Rocky Top vehicle fire killed 1-year-old, left brothers, dad severely burned

Nearly one week ago, on July 5, 1-year-old Oakley Montague was killed when his family's Hummer caught on fire in Rocky Top. The unexplained vehicle fire left his brothers, 3-year-old Maximus and 2-year-old Hendrix, and father, Chip, hospitalized in the burn center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

The family is dealing with the shocking circumstances "second by second," said Kayla Hann, the niece of Jackie, the boys' mother and Chip's wife. Hann is the relative who set up a GoFundMe page shortly after the fire to raise money for the expenses the family is facing. As of July 10, the page had raised more than $30,000.

Fire investigators for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation continue to work alongside the Rocky Top Police Department in investigating the July 5 vehicle fire that occurred on Norris Freeway, also known as U.S. Highway 441, in front of the Weigel's convenience store and gas station. Foul play is not suspected, according to the TBI, but the investigation into why and how the Hummer caught on fire continues.

In a telephone interview Wednesday, Hann said the two boys are in the intensive care unit of the burn center. Maximus, 3, is the most severely injured of the two, she said. On the GoFundMe page, she said he has "burns from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head." Maximus cannot move or look around, but his mom Jackie can touch or hold him, Hann said.

Hendrix, 2, was burned on only half of his body, she said, and can look around with his right eye. She said someone brought him toy cars and he has been able to push them around to play.

Both boys have breathing tubes.

Their father, Chip, has third-degree burns on the side of his face, arms and legs where he worked to rescue his sons from the burning vehicle, she said.

According to Rocky Top Police Chief John Thomas, the call about a vehicle fire was received at 12:41 p.m. July 5. In addition to the TBI, the Anderson County Sheriff's Office is helping the city police department with the investigation.

Jackie and Chip Montague moved to Rocky Top, the Anderson County town formerly called Lake City, from Jacksonville, Florida, about two and a half to three years ago, Hann said. It's where they started a life with their young family.

Hann expressed appreciation for the love and support the family has received. In addition to the GoFundMe page, one of the town's businesses, the Coal Creek General Store on Main Street, is collecting donations of gift cards, toys and snacks for the family as they remain at Vanderbilt Hospital.

The Oak Ridger's News Editor Donna Smith covers Oak Ridge area news. Email her at dsmith@oakridger.com and follow her on Twitter@ridgernewsed.

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This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Vehicle fire killed 1-year-old, left brothers, dad severely burned