Fire destroys buildings in Carnegie

<br>(Carnegie-AP) -- Authorities in the southwestern Oklahoma town of Carnegie are still trying to determine the cause of a large downtown fire. State Assistant Fire Marshal Doug Blaine says investigators

Monday, August 7th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Carnegie-AP) -- Authorities in the southwestern Oklahoma town of Carnegie are still trying to determine the cause of a large downtown fire. State Assistant Fire Marshal Doug Blaine says investigators are trying to determine if transients may have been responsible for the fire.

The blaze quickly spread to the roof of the vacant H.R. Horn Building and then across the alley to a couple more buildings, including Bully's Game Room.

Kevin Mandrell and Lewis Poorbuffalo own Bully's. Mandrell says they had just bought new gaming equipment and were going to buy anew air conditioning unit today.

Jon Nell Baker lives about a half mile from downtown and rushed into town when smoke began to filter into her home. Baker and other volunteers were able to clear out an office building two doors down from the burning hotel.

More than 20 area fire departments helped fight the fire, which started about 4 p.m. yesterday and was brought under control by 7:30 last night. A few firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation, but no serious injuries were reported.