Tulsan Shares Story Of Loss To Remind Others Of Fire Safety

Fire departments across the country are educating people about fire safety during the annual fire prevention week.

This year’s theme is safety in the kitchen.

A Tulsa woman is using her story to help remind others about the importance of fire safety. 

It's been more than four decades since Pam Stukenborg last saw her brother, Chris. 

“Dad dropped to his knees and he was just crying, but he was able to get out 'It’s so tragic that we have lost Chris, but your mother and I want you to know that we are so thankful that we still have you four,'” said Stukenborg.

An explosion in the family’s wood stove is what caused the fire. Stukenborg said the loud explosion was the only warning they had and by then it was too late.

“Going through the tragedy of losing my brother.. he was only 14 months older than me and we were like this and I miss him and that’s why it’s important to let people know…. Update these smoke detectors,” said Stukenborg.

Stukenborg is helping educate people about fire prevention with the Tulsa Fire Department.

This year’s focus is ‘Serve Up Fire Safety In The Kitchen.’ Andy Little with the Tulsa Fire Department said kitchen fires are the leading cause of house fires in the nation.

“In Tulsa, it’s not the leading cause, but we have our fair share of. It seems like every other day there is a kitchen fire and it’s usually in the oven or on that stove top," said Little. 

He said most of the people who die in fires, die in house fires. Two thirds of those homes don’t have working smoke alarms. That’s why the fire department wants people to know smoke alarms save lives.  

“Just one small step, changing batteries, updating smoke detectors can really make all the difference in the world," said Stukenborg. 

Last year, eight people in Tulsa died in house fires. This year already, six Tulsans have died in house fires.