One person dead after late-night apartment fire in SE OKC

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A woman has died after an apartment fire near Reno and Tinker Diagonal late Wednesday night.

"Respond to commercial fire at 403 Tinker Diagonal southbound," the automated system called out on the radio.

In the daylight, charred remains around a door, puddled water on the ground, and crime scene tape are the only outside evidence of a late-night fire that can be found at the Redbud Landing apartments.

At around 10:30 pm on Wednesday, the parking lot was lit up with lights from fire trucks and emergency vehicles, while Oklahoma City Police and firefighters discussed findings.

The residents who called 911 told crews they saw smoke coming from their dishwasher. There were no signs of flames, but firefighters followed the smoke.

"They discovered it was coming through the wall, appeared to be coming form the apartment next door," said Battalion Chief Mike Paschal, with the Oklahoma City Fire Department.

Hot on its trail, firefighters knocked down the door of an apartment. They said heavy smoke was coming from the back bedroom.

"Then whenever they were searching the apartment they found an adult female in the bathroom," said Paschal.

She was unconscious and not responding to crews. The woman was put in an ambulance and rushed to the hospital. Sadly, she didn't make it.

Firefighters noted a familiar sound was never heard will fighting the flames.

"We didn't hear any smoke alarms going off," said Paschal. "You need to have working smoke alarms. Oklahoma City Fire Department, along with just about any fire department, will give those away."

If you need a smoke detector, OKCFD said you can call 405-316-BEEP.

"Oklahoma City will even come and hang them," said Paschal.

Police and firefighters are working to pinpoint the exact cause of the fire. The victim's name has not been released.