Christmas Morning Fire Injures Children, Firefighter

News9.com

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- Three people and a firefighter were burned in an apartment fire in Norman on Christmas morning.

The fire started around 10:45 a.m. at the Cottonwood Ridge Apartments on 12 Ave. S.E.  Police evacuated the entire building just moments before firefighters arrived. Crews found flames and thick smoke coming from one apartment.

A man and two children were found inside the apartment. Fire crews rescued the victims and rushed them to Norman Regional Hospital. The man, who is in his mid-20s, had second-degree burns to his head and back. Two children, ages seven and two, had minor burns and should be okay.

Deputy Fire Chief Jim Bailey said one firefighter was also injured while battling the blaze. He sustained second-degree steam burns to his face and neck. He is in the hospital and expected to fully recover from his injuries.

A man living next door to the burned out apartment was also taken to the hospital, suffering from smoke inhalation and chest pain.

Firefighters said there were no working smoke detectors in the apartment.  The cause of the fire is not known yet.