OK Wildfire Causes Property Damage, Death

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: May 05, 2014

OK Wildfire Causes Property Damage, Death

One person died and six homes were destroyed as a wildfire ramshacked about five square miles of Guthrie, Oklahoma. The fire started as a controlled burn on Sunday afternoon, but grew into a massive inferno as dry conditions and wind caused it to spread.

About 1,000 people were forced out of their homes; the 56-year-old man who died in the wildfire refused to leave his home the AP reports.

By early morning Guthrie Fire Department Chief Eric Harlow reported that the wildfire was 75 percent contained. However, firefighters will be challenged to extinguish the fire with temperatures in the area expected to hit 100 degrees on Monday with winds reaching 31 mph.

A local church in the area is being used by the American Red Cross to serve as a temporary shelter for community members.

 

Publication date: May 5, 2014



OK Wildfire Causes Property Damage, Death