Fireman Injured In Fire Attack

By Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- A Tulsa firefighter is in the hospital after battling a house fire on Saturday afternoon.  The fireman suffered second degree burns on his body and face.

The blaze was in the 200 block of South Memorial.  Witnesses say the flames were 30 feet high and that it only took a couple of minutes for the two-story home to burn down.  They say it's a miracle that no one was seriously hurt.

Tulsa firefighters say it was a battle.

"It was a hot fire, lot of intense heat.  And, they had a pretty tough challenge putting it out," said Tulsa Fire Captain Michael Baker.

Ted Hurlbutt was across the street when he saw a wall of flames.

"Probably 30 to 45 foot high and bellowing that high, too.  That was a really bad house fire. I heard there wasn't anybody home, so that's a good thing," said witness Ted Hurlbutt.           

The house was empty.  Firefighters say the homeowners live there part-time.  It only took a few minutes for the roof and attic to burn.

Captain Baker says there were injuries, but nothing life-threatening.

"One firefighter had to be taken to Hillcrest for evaluation for some second degree burns that they suffered on their forearms and face," said Tulsa Fire Captain Michael Baker.

Gary Strickland lives a few doors down.  He watched the fire unfold and says he was getting nervous.

"We was a little bit concerned cause we could feel the heat over at our house," said Gary Strickland.  "We were taking precautions, ready to wet the grass it we needed to."

Firefighters say the risk of a grass fire was minimal.  Onlookers say they're thankful at the fast response.

The homeowners arrived home just in time to see their house going up in flames.  They told The News On 6 they are shocked and overwhelmed.

Investigators say they have ruled out arson, but they are still investigating what sparked the flames.