Fire Victim Fighting For Life

A Tulsa man is fighting for his life, after he was severely burned in his apartment on Tuesday night.  The News On 6's Carina Sonn reports the fire started in his unit, but investigators are still trying to figure out what caused it.

Danny Maxey says his son, Clint, moved into the building just a few months ago.  He says he regrets that his first visit to the apartment was to see the unit charred and unlivable.  His son is now in critical condition from burns that cover 80% of his body.

"They've got him bandaged from head to toe.  Most of the burns are on his upper body, didn't look like he was in really good shape," said Danny Maxey.

Tulsa firefighters were called to the apartment building on South Quincy a little after 10 o'clock Tuesday night.

A neighbor and her fiancé had come home to see smoke and flames pouring through the second story window.

"He saw the fire.  We live just three doors down.  So, he got in the apartment of ours and started calling 911," said neighbor Sarah Foster.

Shortly after firefighters arrived, Tulsa Fire Search and Rescue crews pulled Maxey out of his apartment.  Two others were also found in the building.  They were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and released.

Firefighters say initial losses are estimated at $50,000.

"This unit is of an older style construction so, it presented many hazards.  So, fortunately most of the fire damage has been confined to the second floor," said Tulsa Fire Captain Michael Baker.

TFD did hear a smoke detector when they arrived on scene, but didn't know what apartment it was coming from.

Firefighters had to return to the apartment around noon on Wednesday because the fire sparked again in the second floor and attic.  It was quickly put out.

Related Story:

07/29/2008  Three Injured In Apartment Fire