Fire destroys southeast metro structures

NEWS 9

A fire destroyed several structures Sunday afternoon in southeast Oklahoma City.

An abandoned house burned to the ground and other structures were damaged by the blaze that started near SE 104 and Sooner Road.

The fire was started by a worker who was using a blow torch to cut a lock off of a gate, authorities said.

High winds quickly spread the fire as far north as SE 89 concerning local residents.

"It's frightening to think it's going to come right back," said Mary Cowns, who lives near where the fires broke out.

Cowns said it was the second time in a year fierce flames from grassfires have come too close for comfort. 

"Thank God my daughter showed up," she said. "She's the one who called me and said it's here and I looked out and all I could see was flames."

Joey Blevins' mom lives in the area.  He tried to call her to find out if she was OK.

"She basically said there's a fire going on, hung up the phone, then I saw her out front with a water hose,"

While the fire engulfed this vacant home on Blue Water Road, firefighters focused their efforts on occupied homes and other fires, District Chief Al Cothran said.

"Large grass fires like these are one of the most difficult things to fight especially when the winds are like this," Cothran said.

No injuries were reported in any of the blazes.

There were a number of other grass fires reported in the metro including one on SE 120th and Air Depot Road.