Investigators searching for wildfire cause
Even as firefighters continue to douse hot spots and watch for flareups, investigators are digging today into the cause of the wildfire that destroyed 17 homes and damaged many more in the Midwest City limits.
“We would like to know what caused the fire,” Midwest City Fire Marshal and spokesman Jerry Lojka said.
The first fire was reported about 3 p.m. Thursday at SW 29 and Post Road, quickly growing into an inferno that devastated the Turtlewood, Windsong and Oakwood additions, among others. More houses, barns and outbuildings burned in Choctaw and other places in eastern Oklahoma County, with today’s tally standing at about 100 structures for the entire county.
It won’t be easy, Lojka said, but he does think it is possible to determine the cause of the Midwest City fire.
Lojka said during a noon update that two or three subdivision residents had smoke inhalation injuries, and many firefighters got soot in their eyes but none had serious injuries.
“We all want to get back to normalcy, but unfortunately it’s going to be a long time for some of these folks who lost their homes,” Lojka said.
He said about 75 people spent the night in the shelter, but all residents were released to go back to their homes at 7:30 this morning. He said the community center is not scheduled to be open as a shelter with sleeping cots tonight.
- Robert Medley
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I fully expect that a smoldering cigarette will be the determined cause of these fires. How often must we see this repeated? My guess is that cigarettes cause 90% of these incidents, with the other causes being (maybe) a lightning strike, or random spark from a car or other machinery.
We speak of banning cell phone use while driving. We know the dangers of a driver impaired by alcohol. I think cigarette/cigar smoking should be banned. Because of the laziness, self-centeredness and incredible stupidity of a few, our communities and rural areas regularly sustain extensive losses – in property, injury and sometimes life. Why do these people refuse to be responsible to take care of their own litter in a proper manner?
I hear TV meteorologists and radio announcers caution people
– soooo politely – “pleeeeeeezzze don’t toss your cigarette butts.You could start a fire!” Are smokers incapable of understanding that they are literally holding fire between their lips and fingers? Perhaps a public “shame campaign” is in order that would include the use of strong and dare I say judgemental language for those people, from people who are in a position to comment through media.