Child Playing With Lighter Sparks Tulsa House Fire

Firefighters say a child playing with a lighter sparked a house fire Saturday night, displacing an east Tulsa family.

The fire broke out on the second floor of an apartment in a four-unit house in the 11000 block of East 15th Street at about 11:30 p.m., according to Tulsa District Chief Bob Stern.

"The first crews on scene had heavy fire on the second floor with a lot of smoke showing," Stern said. "All the occupants were out, but we did search the structure to make sure everybody was out."

One resident had minor burns to the hand, he said.

The one apartment was thought to be a total loss, but the residents of the other three were able to return to their homes, Stern said. The Tulsa Red Cross was on scene to help the displaced family.

"Lighters, matches – they are tools, and only adults should be able to handle those tools," Stern said. "Put them up high, out of reach."

Red Cross provided financial assistance for lodging, food, clothing and shoes for the family of one adult and one child, according to Red Cross spokesperson Donita Quesnel.