Fire crews tackle two house fires and give reminders on using space heaters with cold week ahead
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Fire crews fought two large house fires Sunday.
The Oklahoma City Fire Department responded first to a home near Wilshire and May Sunday morning.
"When they arrived, they found heavy smoke and fire on the on the rear of the structure. They immediately went into an aggressive fire attack," said Batt. Chief Andrew McCann with the Oklahoma City Fire Department.
Fire officials said the cold and windy weather played a big part in how fast the flames spread throughout the home.
Batt. Chief McCann said, "We have a very strong north wind right now and it was blowing the smoke from the rear of the structure all the way through the house and out and across the street. There is a significant amount of damage to the home."
Crews said a woman inside the house evacuated before firefighters got there. She was not injured.
The second home to burst in flames was in Mustang hours later.
Jonathan Sprague is the Batt. Chief for the Mustang Fire Department. He said, "It started in the backyard and worked its way into the attic. The crews did a great job getting to the fire.
Batt. Chief Sprague said the Oklahoma City Fire Department also helped them put the fire out quickly. No one was hurt in this fire either.
The cause of both fires is under investigation.
Ahead of this week's cold weather, fire crews gave a warning to residents who plan to use their fireplace or turn on a space heater this week during the cold temperatures.
"We always recommend in this type of weather, if you have to utilize a space heater, make sure you don't have it by any combustibles," said Batt. Chief McCann.
Combustibles are things like cloth blankets, plastic and paper. If you keep a space heater on near your kitchen, he said to be careful putting it near a gas stove.
If you're in need of a warming station, take a look at the list provided by OG&E below.
There are five locations in OKC, three in Norman, two in Midwest City and one in Moore.