Neighbor Credited With Saving Family Of 4 During OKC House Fire

A quick thinking neighbor is being credited for saving a family of four after their house caught on fire in southeast Oklahoma City. 

It happened on the 500 block of S.E. 71st Street. Luis Becarra, who lived across the street from the burning home, said it was around 2 a.m. Wednesday when he saw fire and smoke coming from the roof and side of his neighbor's house.

Becarra said he ran to the home and repeatedly banged on the front door. A woman named Brooke, her husband and two children were inside. Brooke told News 9 she initially thought someone was breaking into the home and did not come to the door. But when she recognized her neighbor, the family was able to run outside.

While waiting for fire crews, neighbors used their garden hoses to try to put out the fire. Fire crews had a difficult time getting inside the home but were able to pull back the ceiling and get inside through the attic.

An early investigation shows the fire did not start in the attic, but on the side of the house which had a number of items stacked on the side of the home. Oklahoma City Fire Department's District Chief Chris Black said it raises some suspicions.

The family was not injured nor were any firefighters. Fire investigators will continue to search for a cause and get a damage estimate.

Meanwhile, Brooke and her family received assistance from the American Red Cross at about 6 a.m., four hours after the fire started.