Smoldering Ashes Spark House Fire In NW OKC

Firefighters are blaming smoldering fireplaces ashes for a fire that damaged a home in northwest Oklahoma City near Piedmont.

A police captain was returning home from work late Monday night when he saw smoke coming from a neighbor's house on N.W. 138th Street near Piedmont Road and NW Expressway. The captain alerted the family and called firefighters.

Fire crews arrived within minutes, but by then the flames had spread up the side of the home and to the attic. Firefighters quickly doused the flames.

Fire investigators say the family had put still smoldering ashes from the fireplace in a trash can next to the house, and that's what started the fire. The family said they thought the ashes had cooled because the fire was two days ago.

No one was hurt in the fire. The fire caused about $40,000 in damage to the home.