Cause Of Tulsa Apartment Fire Investigated

By Latoya Silmon, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- One person is in the hospital and several others are homeless after a fire broke out at their apartment complex, the Cove on Memorial.

The fire started just before 6:00 a.m. Monday at the complex at 12th and Memorial.

When firefighters arrived, they found one apartment unit with flames and smoke coming out it.

"It started right next door to me. I didn't know anything about it. At first I thought it's smoke, someone's cooking or something's going on, it's early morning and then somebody was pounding on my door," said Clayton Coltharp, a resident at the apartment complex.

Clayton Coltharp had no time to waste.

"I got dressed. I got my girlfriend dressed up, and got the hell out of there," said Coltharp.

Kendal William's brother made it out too. She says the fire actually started at his place and wasted no time spreading to other apartments. The fire destroyed 8 units.

Like Clayton, Kendal's brother lost everything.

"This is material stuff. All the rest of that stuff can be replaced. I'm just happy to see my brother. When I walked up here and my brother called my name, that was the best feeling in this world," said Kendal Williams.

Clayton says he doesn't have anything but the clothes on his back. He says for the first time, he doesn't have renter's insurance, but he's still counting his blessings.

"It could be worse. I mean, we could have not have made it out of there. There's only one way out of there," said Coltharp.

EMSA took one person to the hospital and at last check that person was in fair condition. Tulsa firefighters say they believe the fire started on a balcony, but the cause is still under investigation.

A number of Red Cross volunteers also responded to assist residents impacted by the fire.