Multiple Fires Damage Apartment Complex

Wednesday, April 11th 2007, 4:45 pm

By: News On 6

Firefighters are kept busy Wednesday morning after an apparent arsonist set three buildings ablaze. Fire officials say someone intentionally set three separate fires at the Barcelona Apartment Complex near 51st and Yale. The News On 6â€™s Steve Berg reports the first fire was the worst; it was already well underway by the time firefighters arrived.

Resident Pat Adderley says the first thing he noticed was the sound of the sirens. And it's a good thing he did.

"The front door, the side wall was just on fire. Flames were popping everywhere," he said.

Adderley says he had to scramble over the wall around his patio to get out of the building.

"So it was kind of scary,â€ Adderley said. â€œCause the whole building was smoke. You couldn't see."

About 15 minutes later, a second fire broke out in the apartment building next door. Firefighters pounced on it and it was put out quickly, but many, like John Easley, say it seems like an awfully big coincidence. He says about a week ago, a fence at the complex went up in flames.

"We have a privacy fence between this complex and this building next door north of us, and about 3 in the morning, it was suddenly ablaze,â€ said resident John Easley. â€œThere's just nothing there that would cause it to catch fire unless somebody set it. Having two fires here today is really unnerving.â€

Suspicions really ignited though when a third fire broke out in another apartment house about an hour later.

"This is certainly unusual, and as I said our investigators are looking at the origins of those fires," said Tulsa Fire Captain Larry Bowles.

Also within the past week, there has been a dumpster fire across the street from the complex, it caused significant damage to the building. Thankfully, maybe even surprisingly, nobody has been hurt during any of it.

â€œI probably have water damage, smoke damage, but I'm alright. So that's good. That's one good thing," Adderley said.

The Red Cross is helping about 12 people who were displaced by the fire.

Officials do not have any suspects. If you have any information on these fires youâ€™re asked to call Crimestoppers at 596-COPS.

To see the view of the fire from SKYNEWS 6, click here.