Arson Suspect In Overnight Fire

Monday, August 6th 2007, 8:08 pm

By: News On 6

Dozens are homeless after two Monday morning apartment fires. Firefighters say one may have been accidental, but believe the other was arson. One person is in custody after firefighters say he refused to allow them into an apartment to fight the fire. The News On 6â€™s Chris Wright reports the other blaze was apparently sparked by a woman who was trying to refill her lighter.

Brian Blocker and his family packed up what's left of their belongings Monday afternoon. Theirs was among the four Cedar Glade apartments, located near 73rd and Mingo, severely damaged by an early morning fire authorities say was arson.

"So now we're just trying to clean up, figure out where we want to live, and start over," fire victim Brian Blocker said.

Others residents will be starting over as well. A total of eight apartments, home to 32 people, were affected, and nine residents were treated at local hospitals. Firefighters believe a man started the fire in an apartment shortly after 4 a.m. Monday, then when authorities showed up he refused to let them in. That man is now in custody.

Residents say that recently, fires they are confident were intentional have not been out of the ordinary at Cedar Glades.

"This is like the third fire we've had on our thingy like in the last month," said fire victim Glenda Pool.

Only six hours later, another fire erupted at the Saint Thomas Square apartments near 61st and Riverside.

"When I came down the steps I could feel the heat, really radiant, very strong when I was coming down there," Saint Thomas resident Troy Halick said.

Firefighters say the fire at Saint Thomas started when lighter fluid sparked while a woman tried to refill her lighter. Authorities say the woman only made things worse by trying to put out the blaze herself, and not immediately calling 911.

"She did not have a phone, a working phone in the apartment, therefore the 911 call came very late, contributing to the spread of the fire," Tulsa Fire Captain Larry Bowles said.

And dozens of people are now paying the price for an apparent arson and accident.

"We've lost everything, lost everything, we don't have nothing," said Pool.

One woman was injured at Saint Thomas Square after authorities say she jumped from her balcony to avoid the fire. And even though it was early in the morning, three firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion at Cedar Glades.

If you have any information on the alleged arson at Cedar Glades you are encouraged to give Tulsa Fire a call at 596-ARSN.

Watch the video: Dozens Homeless After Apparent Arson