Fire Leaves Eight Families Seeking Shelter

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- A three-alarm apartment fire sent some residents out in the cold Wednesday afternoon. The blaze damaged several units and now some of the residents are looking for another place to stay.

Eight families that live in the Highland Apartments, 12701 N. Pennsylvania Ave., are displaced due to the fire.

Firefighters said the high winds helped to keep the fire burning. They battled the flames from both sides of the building.

"This fire got up and got above their heads, progressed across the attic area, made it real tough to stop," Oklahoma City Fire Department Deputy Chief Cecil Clay said. "The winds blowing pretty good, keep the flames kindled up pretty well."

Residents quickly evacuated from their apartments, while others nearby watched and waited.

Firefighters said the fire started around 12:30 p.m. from food left cooking on the stove.

"Like this case here, you're at the will of your neighbor's problems sometimes," Clay said.

Eight apartments are destroyed with fire, smoke or water damage. Two pets were rescued from the fire.

No injuries were reported.