An unattended candle appeared to have caused the fire that destroyed four units at Saddle Brook Apartments, 1400 E. 62nd Place, Capt. Larry Bowles said.

The victim, a 68-year-old man, died after he was "vehemently urged" to jump about 10 feet from his balcony to the ground but refused, Bowles said. His name has not been released.

Firefighters were originally told five people -- the man who died, along with four women -- were trapped in the same apartment. One occupant, an elderly woman, also did not want to jump but was pushed to safety, witnesses said.

Two of the other women, who neighbors said are sisters, were hospitalized after suffering burns, EMSA spokeswoman Tina Wells said. One of them, a 25-year-old, was in serious condition, while the other, a 21-year-old, was in fair condition.

Two other women were able to escape from the apartment and were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene, Bowles said.

The firefighter, whose name also was not released, was taken to the hospital with second-degree burns to his shoulder, neck and ear.

A 57-year-old man also was hospitalized and was in fair condition. Several others were treated for minor injuries at the scene, and two cats died in the blaze.

Bowles said the fire was initially thought to have been caused by a grill in

Saddle Brook resident Patrick Smith lost all his possessions in the fire, except the clothes on his back.

"What you see is what I got," said Smith, who did not have renter's insurance.

Smith, 58, said he thanks God he and his nephew and dog were staying with friends while their power was out or else they would have been home.

The Tulsa chapter of the American Red Cross was assisting Smith and others affected by the fire. They were staying at one of the 18 area shelters the Red Cross has made available to those needing food and shelter after the ice storm.

Wednesday's fatal fire was the second in Tulsa this week after a woman died Monday from smoke inhalation.

It also was the fifth fire fatality since Sunday's and Monday's ice storm.

On Wednesday, three people died in a northwest Oklahoma City residence after passers-by saw flames coming from a house near the State Fairgrounds about 1:30 a.m., Battalion Chief Cecil Clay said.

Fire crews later found Cecil Stewart, 82; Sally Stewart, 89; and Jimmy D. Stewart, 56, inside the home. Cecil Stewart worked as an Oklahoma City firefighter from 1951 to 1971, officials said.

The cause of that fire has not been determined.

The recent ice storm has created an "extreme hazard for life safety," Bowles said.

Tulsa firefighters have responded to more than 120 fires in the past two days.

Bowles urged residents to use caution with candles, space heaters, fireplaces and heating appliances not designed for indoor use. He also said the use of generators can pose electrical shock hazards.

Since Sunday, the Red Cross has opened nine cases to help 41 people and has committed $8,972 to direct assistance to the families, spokeswoman Nellie Kelly said.

Also, the Red Cross had a mental health volunteer at the hospital to meet those affected by Wednesday's fire.

"Our hearts go out to all those families," Kelly said.

Fire Department safety tips

The Tulsa Fire Department says residents can help prevent fires, electrocutions, carbon monoxide poisoning and other problems by using caution with candles, space heaters, fireplaces and heating appliances not designed for indoor use. Also, the use of generators can pose electrical shock hazards inside homes and elsewhere.

Here are safety tips from the Fire Department:

Candles: Do not leave candles unattended in unoccupied rooms. Keep a minimum threefoot radius of space around and above candle flames. Extinguish candles when you go to sleep or leave the room.

Space heaters: If you have power and are using electrical space heaters, make sure they are kept a safe distance from any combustible materials.

Portable gas or liquid-fuel heaters: Unvented, petroleumfueled heating appliances should not be used indoors. In addition to fire dangers, their combustion process creates carbon monoxide, a lethal poisonous gas. Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, sleepiness, nausea and vomiting, progressing to disorientation, coma, convulsions and death.

Charcoal grills: Burning wood or charcoal indoors also produces carbon monoxide. Vents also can allow live coals or hot ashes to spill onto carpets or combustibles.

Fireplaces: Burning wood and gas logs also can produce carbon monoxide. Much escapes up the chimney, but it still can pose a danger inside. Also, building fires that are too large or too hot can cause flue or chimney fires that are not detectable inside the house until flames already are spreading throughout the structure.

Generators: The use of petroleum- fueled electrical generators can help provide light and comfort, but they should be operated only outdoors. The use of generators also can pose hazards for people outside of buildings. Electrical current from generators can flow back into electrical lines meant to bring power into the structure resulting in electrical lines that were uncharged at one point becoming recharged.

Power lines: Treat all power lines as if they are charged and dangerous. Do not attempt to move or handle low-hanging power lines, those on the ground or in the branches of downed trees.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Kelly Hines 581-8408
kelly.hines@tulsaworld.com