Sapulpa Fire Victims Turn To Red Cross For Assistance

The Red Cross said 25 people stayed at a church, and several of them said they have nowhere to go and lost everything in the fire.

Sunday, January 25th 2015, 11:03 pm

By: News On 6

Sapulpa Fire Victims Turn To Red Cross For Assistance

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating a fire that killed one person and destroyed the homes of two dozen people in Sapulpa.

The victims are spending another night in an emergency shelter after their homes burned Saturday morning. The Red Cross said 25 people stayed at a church, and several of them said they have nowhere to go and lost everything in the fire.

David Sheriff and his wife remember waking up to flames surrounding their motel room Saturday morning.

1/25/2015 Related Story: ATF Agents Called To Investigate Fatal Fire At Sapulpa Motel

"I went to the door, opened up the door and just flash fire consumed me," Sheriff said.

Sheriff suffered second-degree burns on his feet as he escaped.

“So I've been in these [clothes] for two days, I don't have any shoes or anything,” he said. “This was a donated shirt, and my wife is just in her pajama tops and bottoms."

Sheriff had just moved into a motel because his Sapulpa home burned after a gas explosion three weeks ago.

"Within a month's time we've lost a house and everything we own, but we have our lives," he said.

The Red Cross is providing this emergency shelter to help victims get their lives back in order. Victims like Sheriff don't have their identification or access to transportation.

Curtis Olson also spent the night in the shelter.

“Without them all of us would be out on the street," Olson said.

Volunteers are working with the victims and outside agencies to help people with clothes, housing and living supplies.

“All of us just lost everything,” he said. “You know, we don't need to be judged, we need a little help now... and the man who lost his life, how do you replace that? I mean everything I have. I can go out and work hard and buy again, but how do you replace that man? You can't. You can't ever bring him back."

Sheriff added, “You know it's a desperate situation, that's why we're here for help.” The Red Cross and its Volunteers are working through the night to keep the church gym staffed.