Tulsa Fire Department Warns Of A Tragic Trend

The Tulsa Fire Department is warning about a tragic trend. The Tulsa Fire Department put out three different house fires Monday.

Tulsa firefighters say those fires were all caused by the same thing -- now that more people are turning on heaters as the cold cranks up.

One woman now knows all too well the damage a faulty heater can create. Carrie Frazier's nieces are helping her move out -- after fire moved in.

"I was like, ‘there's got to be a fire somewhere. We've got to find it,' because that smell was so bad," Frazier said.

Frazier, her 3-year-old daughter, and her husband were sleeping at their apartment when Frazier smelled smoke.

"Right when the lady answered on 911, I was like, ‘I was going to tell you it was smoke, but now it's flames,'" she said.

Frazier's fire was one of three in Tulsa on Monday that firefighters are blaming on faulty or dirty heating equipment.

"We're wanting to stress the fact that you need to clean, have that cleaned and inspected by a professional every year and make sure that doesn't happen," said Stan May of the Tulsa Fire Department.

The fire was focused in the front of a home near 34th and Garnett, but the house near 26th Street and North Cincinnati has widespread damage.

The fire department says spend a little to get your system checked for the winter and you may save a lot in the end.

"Just a small fire is going to cost you at least a $1,000 on your home deductible and maybe more if you're not insured," May said.

Carrie Frazier's apartment complex wouldn't comment on the cause of the fire, but a representative says they are moving the family to another apartment.

Frazier can't stop thinking about what could have happened.

"The fireman said it had been up there, just smothering in the insulation and stuff, all night, it had practically been there the whole night," Frazier said.

Tulsa fire also suggests turning off space heaters when you sleep, getting your chimney checked out and inspecting your ventilation so there's no carbon monoxide problems.