Large fire in eastern Pittsburg County finally contained

Firefighters have gained the upper hand on a wildfire that scorched thousands of acres in Pittsburg County. <br/><br/>That fire started late Saturday night near Longtown, southeast of Eufaula. The fire

Monday, January 9th 2006, 10:20 am

By: News On 6

Firefighters have gained the upper hand on a wildfire that scorched thousands of acres in Pittsburg County.

That fire started late Saturday night near Longtown, southeast of Eufaula. The fire burned more than 6,000 acres.

Firefighters believe it was set by an arsonist.

More than 50 firefighters and workers with the State Forestry Service have fought that fire from the air and on the ground. Abe Grey with the Oklahoma Forestry Service: "Think about them. Think about them. While most of them is at home asleep, all these folks are out here keeping them safe."

After about 30 hours of non-stop work, crews contained the fire.

It threatened about 20 homes, but firefighters were able to prevent those homes from being damaged or destroyed.