Firefighters Remain on Scene of Edmond Apartment Fire as Precaution

By Charles Bassett, NEWS 9

EDMOND, Oklahoma -- Nearly a day after an Edmond apartment complex caught fire the remains continue to smolder at what's left of the buildings.

It was a very busy night for Edmond firefighters who were battling the massive blaze at the complex, which was under construction. The fire burned for hours before crews finally got it under control early Tuesday morning.

Edmond Apartment Fire

The flames lit up the night sky over Edmond as the Enclave Apartments, still being built, burned to the ground.

By morning the extent of the damage was clear. The complex is a total loss. It's something people who live in the area find hard to believe.

"I just wanted to see what it really looked like; it just makes you sick," Edmond resident Bud Kahmar said.

The fire started Monday evening and quickly spread engulfing all 148 units of the complex. High winds helped fan the flames and continue to be a problem.

"It's probably a little worse today because we got a structure so weak from the fire and the water load on it, so there's a strong possibility of a collapse out here," Edmond Fire Department Assistant Chief Tim Wheeler said.

More than 12 hours after the fire, crews were still putting out hot spots. Fire crews said because the fire was so big, they'll likely be putting out hot sport for days to come.

As for what may have started the fire, investigators say it's too early to tell. But construction crews had been working the apartments and they will be taking statements from them.

Arson investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have been called in to assist with the investigation.

There have been several inspections of the complex and dozens of rejection notices, but the city says that's normal with any construction project.

"There's a lot of complicated issues they have to deal with," said the Director of Edmond Building and Fire Services, Ed Steiner. "The bigger the building, the more the complications, so we expect those kind of things to happen."

Steiner says the fire is no indication that something was wrong with the construction of the building.

"Where there's a lot of construction going on and a lot of big buildings, there are a lot of reasons why somebody might have a fire on a construction site," Steiner said.

But before a building like this is given a certificate of occupancy, Steiner says all building codes have to be met.