Investigators Determine Mannford Apartment Fire Caused By Natural Gas Leak

Investigators are sifting through the rubble of what is left of an apartment complex in Mannford.

Tuesday, November 13th 2012, 11:58 am

By: Craig Day


Investigators looking into what caused an explosion and fire at a Mannford Apartment complex determined it was caused by a natural gas leak.

It left one woman injured and several without all of their belongings.

When an explosion happened at the Salt Creek town homes in Mannford, Ken Briedwell had only been home from work for a few minutes.

"It went off like a bomb, blew the whole back of the building out," Briedwell said.

He said it was the scariest thing he's ever experienced.

The fire destroyed four units at the complex. One of them was where Tommy McDaniel lived.

11/12/2012 Related Story: At Least Five Injured In Mannford Apartment Fire

"[I heard] a loud explosion, and I didn't know what was going on, and my apartment started shaking," McDaniel said.

The explosion and fire that followed sent one woman to the hospital with burns to her back. She was helped to safety by a Good Samaritan

Several others received minor burns.

Briedwell said he knew he had to get out fast.

"The light bulb blew out and the flames started coming out of it and I stepped outside and said what is going on? And they said the whole thing is on fire, you need to get out of here," McDaniel said.

The fire victims watched as investigators with the state fire marshal's office looked into what caused the explosion.

They determined it was caused by a natural gas leak.

No matter the cause, the damage is severe and the losses are tough.

"I've lost everything in my life, I've got nothing left. We'll rebuild, you know. We're all alive, so that's good," Briedwell said.

"It can be replaced, everything can be replaced. But, God's got better plans for me," McDaniel said.

Tonight at 10 p.m., hear from the Good Samaritan neighbor who helped pull a woman to safety from her burning townhouse.

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