OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — An early morning fire at an Oklahoma City apartment complex forced multiple evacuations and left children in the neighborhood anxiously checking on friends.
The fire broke out shortly after 7 a.m. Monday at the Wilshire Lofts on Lyrewood Lane. According to Oklahoma City Fire Department officials, the blaze began in a downstairs unit and quickly spread upward, damaging several apartments.
Eight units were evacuated as firefighters worked to contain the flames. Two apartments were destroyed, though officials confirmed there were no injuries.
“The fire started in the downstairs unit. It broke out a window and vented up to the upstairs units,” said Assistant Public Information Officer John Chenoweth with OKC Fire.
Children who live nearby described waking up to the sound of sirens and rushing outside to see what was happening. Many of them were concerned about friends who live in the affected building.
“I asked my mom if I could go over there and I ran over. I looked and I saw Amaya and Jamaya crying,” said Serenity Sharp, who lives nearby.
“I ran over here too, and my friend, she was outside, and she said she might have to move somewhere else,” added Howard Daniels, another young neighbor.
Fire crews emphasized the importance of working smoke alarms and quick evacuation in fire emergencies.
“Make sure your smoke alarms are active. Make sure if you do see or hear a fire to exit as quickly as possible,” said Chenoweth.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
