Homeowner Edward Marand believes a spark from the breaker box is to blame, but the official cause is still under investigation.
EDMOND, Oklahoma -
Thick smoke filled
an Edmond neighborhood as firefighters battled a stubborn blaze just west of
I-35 on Friday.
A woman who was inside the home at the time is now recovering, according
to fire department officials. Firefighters say that woman will be fine.
Investigators say the home will likely be a total loss.
"It was
terrifying," homeowner Edward Marand said. "The first thing that crossed my
mind was get the wife out of the house."
Marand believes a
spark from the breaker box is to blame, but the official cause is still under
investigation.
3/1/2013 Related Story: Edmond Home Destroyed By Blaze
When the fire
started, Marand says he attempted to call 911, but the flames caused his
telephone to go dead. Neighbors called for help. Firefighters were able to get
the fire under control, but they spent several hours working the scene in the
chilly weather.
"The
[firefighters] did say we had exposures on both sides of [the] house," Lt. Jeff
Ryan with the Edmond Fire Department said. "The [neighboring] houses are very
close together. [Firefighters] did a great job in saving both homes."
Marand was left
amazed on just how fast his house could be destroyed.
"The fire was
small in the beginning," Marand said. "It just quickly spread."
Marand says he is
thankful no one was hurt.