Extreme Temps Pose Problems for Oklahoma Firefighters

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A fire in the attic of a southwest Oklahoma City home Sunday turned into a three-alarm situation because of the heat.

Oklahoma City Batt. Fire Chief Chris Copeland said he called out more crews to the home so all of the firefighters would stay safe.

"When guys are sweating like that and three crews are in rehab, well, at that time I had to call for other crews to help us. You can't expect these guys to work for an hour and a half straight with this equipment on. It just takes it out of them," Copeland said.

Copeland said he believes the fire was started by a candle, and that the temperature in the attic shot up anywhere from 200 to 300 degrees.