Drumright Firefighter's Home Reduced To Ash

A Drumright firefighter is called out to a fight a fire at his home; but, when the flames mixed with strong winds, his home was reduced to ashes.

The owner was not there when the fire started, but because he’s a firefighter, he got the page; and when he heard it was his house, he obviously couldn't get there fast enough. Unfortunately, by that time, it was too late.

Drumright firefighter Brad Matherly was working on a rent house when a page went out that no one wants to hear.

“It said the fire was on Dale Street, 102 E. Dale, and that was my address,” Matherly said.

Flames were already shooting through the garage roof when Matherly got to his house. Strong winds pushed the fire through the attic, which spread to the rest of the home.

Matherly said, “I knew it was gonna get bad with the wind the way it was last night.”

He’s been with the department seven years and has worked every fire you can think of, but never at the home where he's raised his family.

Not much can be salvaged; proof that a fire doesn't care what your job might be.

“It doesn't discriminate. Fire does not discriminate,” said Drumright fire chief, Brett Lunsford.

He said about 12 firefighters worked to knock down the flames, including Matherly.

“More emotional,” Matherly said. “Usually, you get a little rush that you're fighting fire, and when it's your house it's different.”

But for the other firefighters, the mission was like any other - save whatever they could.

“They made entry on the back, but not very far, it was too hot,” Matherly said.

The firefighter is grateful for what they did, thankful no one was hurt, and said his misfortune will change the way he fights fire in the future.

“It definitely gives you a lot of motivation to save stuff, especially when you lose your own stuff,” he said.

The fire chief is investigating the cause. He said he's looking into three possibilities but isn't sharing what those are just yet.