Fort Gibson Barn Fire Victims Look For Answers

Three barns burned to the ground within a month near Fort Gibson, where investigators said it's not clear if the fires are a coincidence or arson. 

And the ones who've lost buildings are still scared. 

The Fort Gibson Fire Department had been working with several agencies to figure out what's causing the fires. They have since handed the investigation over to the state fire marshal. People who live in the community urge neighbors to stay alert.

One Fort Gibson barn is a scorched pile of rubble. And as of right now, the people who own it said they don't know how it started but suspect arson.

"We opened up the garage door and just seen a big ball of fire," the homeowner said. 

The owner didn't want to show her identity but said this 70-plus-year-old barn wasn't much, but it was theirs. She said her children and family at one point played in this barn. And at one point housed show cattle. 

"For someone to have the nerve to come on your property, your private property and set fire to one of your buildings, I mean really, there has to be some sick person to do something like," the homeowner said. 

On the night of the fire, the cattle stayed far back on the family farm. So they survived, but the family and fire crews had to move quickly to keep the fire from spreading to other buildings and farm equipment. 

"This could have been bad, it really could have been bad," the homeowner said. 

Just days before, the family had heard of other people losing property in nearby barn fires. This family said it's too late to do anything about their barn, but hopes telling their story will spread the word.

"If you see someone on someone's property and it doesn't look like they belong there, then you need to contact that person or the sheriff's office," she said. 

They said now that what's left of the barn has stopped smoldering, the plan is to remove the mess and start over.

For now, they're thankful no one got hurt.

The News On 6 spoke to another woman whose barn burned down, and she lost a houseboat, a motorcycle and antiques.

No one was hurt in that fire either.