Tulsa Home Destroyed By Fire

A north Tulsa house was leveled by flames overnight Sunday. The home was fully involved and the roof had collapsed by the time firefighters were called in, according to Captain Josh Rutledge.

Firefighters got to the scene on the 100 block of North Florence at about 3:45 a.m.

"Normally we get early recognition and are able to put the fire out before it reaches this stage," he said. "This time of the day, most people are generally sleeping, and the neighbor said the house was vacant.

"We just didn't get the call until late."

The home had signs of renovation and there was electricity hooked up, but no one was living there. Neighbor Darren Zimmerman said the house had been the site of an earlier fire, and the homeowners were trying to rebuild it.

"These are good people; they work for the city," he said. "Now they have no house; they have nothing to work from."

Zimmerman said his house almost caught on fire.

"I freaked out; I have animals," he said. He was also worried about another neighbor who is elderly. The vinyl siding on her home melted, but her house was saved.

"Tulsa Fire Department, two thumbs up, guys," he said. "You did a great job."

The cause is under investigation.

"If someone set the fire, I hope they catch them," Zimmerman said.