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Building Burns in north Downtown


By Augie Frost
The Oklahoman

Oklahoma City fire crews are working to extinguish a large fire at a building in north downtown Oklahoma City.

About 4 p.m., fire crews responded to NW 8 and Harvey Avenue after dispatchers received a report that heavy smoke was pouring from a building.

At 4:30 p.m., a third alarm was called and more fire crews arrived to battle the blaze defensively because the fire had grown out of control, an official said. Wood covering the windows limited firefighters' access to the building, making the blaze harder to fight.

Because the abandoned building is so old, said Dep. Chief Tony Young, collapsing walls are a concern for crews, Young said.
It is not yet clear how the fire started or if anyone has been hurt.

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Wow Keith.. I heard it was intentionally started. Were you on the call?

Wow Keith.. I heard it was intentionally started. Were you on the call?
I was actually at the credit union at Main and Walker, when two district chief vehicles whizzed by running code 3. As I stepped out of the credit union, I could see the smoke....so I followed it.

When I arrived, they were in process of getting water on the fire. I parked my truck and walked about 1/2 block to the scene. Since I am part of the Citizen's Fire Academy Alumni Association, I am allowed media access to the fires. I take pictures for our monthly newsletter.

According to the deputy chief, this was a vacant building that was boarded up, however, there were no utilities hooked up and the front door had been kicked in. Arson investigators were on the scene.

In a few of these pictures, you will see a few firefighters in the boom, up in the air fighting the fire. One of those firefighters was OCFD Fire Chief Keith Bryant.

I was there for an hour and a half, and the fire was still going. Because of the type of old building that it was, trying to control the fire was difficult.

That's too bad. Looks like it was a cool old building. Did it burn to the ground?

I think this is the same building I saw reported on the news last night. If so, when I was watching they had directed the firemen to get away from the building and they were going to let it burn and just make sure it didnt spread to other buildings. I just remember them saying the smoke was blowing directly onto the new federal building. Same one or no?

Yes, same one.

I have been to many fires, however, this was the worst smoke that I had ever seen. At one point, you could look to the west of the fire and not see anything. They had command set up in front of the structure, and had to move it because the smoke was so thick.

When I got home, I had smoke in my clothes, my jacket, and my hair (what little I have).

I drove by there today, and although the building is still standing, it was a total loss.

I remember when I was quite young and Tapp's bbq in Moore caught on fire and burned for about 6 hours. That was the longest I had ever heard of something burning. And it was a popular restaurant in Moore for quite some time. I cant remember eating there, and I think they reopened afterwards but I was just too young to be sure.