Oklahoma City, OK – Oklahoma City fire crews were called to two separate home fires early Wednesday morning, including one on Southeast 49th Street that nearly spread to a neighboring residence. The incident, which occurred around 4 a.m., could have been much worse if not for the quick thinking of a local resident and the timely response of fire fighters.
Diego Carrillo, who lives in the neighboring home, was woken up by his grandfather after they noticed a fire at the vacant house next door. Carrillo described the scene, saying, “I looked outside, I saw a big ball of light. I could feel the heat through the window, and at that point, I knew it was getting too close to the house.”
The vacant property, which Carrillo’s family had a connection to, was fully engulfed in flames by the time fire crews arrived. Battalion Chief Mike Paschal of the Oklahoma City Fire Department stated, “It’s completely burnt, basically to the ground. I believe there’s probably homeless people in and out of it every now and then. We’ve been here several times in the past.”
The fire department’s swift action prevented the blaze from spreading to surrounding structures, including Carrillo’s home. “Thankfully, they came just when they did and we woke up on time,” Carrillo said. “Or it could have been a lot worse.”
The burned property had a personal significance for Carrillo. “My great-grandfather used to live there,” he explained. “I did grow up in it for a couple of years as well, visiting, uh, in and out with family members, parties, and other holiday events.” The destruction of the home, once a place of cherished family memories, added an emotional layer to an already dangerous situation.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Fire officials urge residents to be vigilant and ensure vacant properties are properly secured to prevent incidents like this from occurring. In this case, Carrillo’s alertness and the fire department’s prompt response may have prevented a much larger disaster.
