Strong Winds Cause Skiatook House Fire, Other Damage

Heavy rain and strong winds left damage in the Skiatook area early Saturday, including an attic fire. The Skiatook Fire Marshall said 45 to 50 mph wind gusts knocked a tree into a home, sparking a small fire in the 700 block of Maple Street. 

The tree knocked down a power line that hit the weather head on the house, he said. Wires into the home separated and sent unregulated energy into the lines in the attic.

The current burned burning through insulation on wires, sparking the fire. Fire crews were able to contain the damage to insulation in the attic.

Firefighters had a respond a second time to the home to pull out more smoldering insulation from the attic.

Also in the Skiatook area, signage directing drivers around a construction area has blown over and is impacting Highway 20 near Highway 75.

A car wash lost an awning on Highway 20, and half of a large tree blew into the road. Emergency crews responded quickly with chainsaws to remove the large branch as police directed traffic.

That storm moved through early Saturday and went on into the Vinita area, but more thunderstorms are on their way.