Tulsa World: Vinita building fire investigation continues

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Vinita building fire investigation continues

By SHEILA STOGSDILL World Correspondent
Published: 7/28/2009 2:25 AM
Last Modified: 7/28/2009 4:32 AM

VINITA — Authorities on Monday continued to investigate a fire that destroyed a historic building Sunday in downtown Vinita, displacing 17 people who were living in apartments on its second floor.

Only three of the eight apartments on the second floor of the two-story, red brick building were occupied. An insulation business and pawn shop were on the first floor.

No injuries were reported, but six adults and 11 children were left homeless.

Crystal Holmes and her four children had been living in one of the apartments for about two years.

Her sister, Kari Maloney, and her two children recently had moved in, and the sisters were looking for a bigger house for their combined families.

"The children lost everything," Holmes said. "But the community has helped us out tremendously."

Holmes said she and her sister were at work and that the only child at home when the fire broke out was her oldest daughter, Tayah, 9, who was at a neighbor's apartment.

The neighbor ran out of a bedroom saying it was on fire and for Tayah to get outside, Holmes said. Tayah ran home to wake her uncle, who was visiting and asleep on the couch. He grabbed his shoes and the child and ran out, Holmes said.

The displaced families were provided hotel rooms through Tuesday, said Nellie Kelly, a spokeswoman for the Tulsa Chapter of the American Red Cross.

"If they are not able to find shelter, we will provide assistance for a couple of more days," Kelly said.

Firefighters from Big Cabin and Centralia assisted in battling the blaze, which burned for four hours, officials said.

The building, which was one block west of the city's main intersection, was estimated to be more than 100 years old, Assistant Police Chief Barry Armstrong said.

Fire Chief Delbert Bowers said the building was old but in good shape.

Found in the debris was a stone or a brick with the numbers "1901" engraved on it, Bowers said, referring to the building's possible construction date.

Bowers said the building had been remodeled over the years. It was inspected recently by the Fire Department and was up to code, he said.

The property owner always did a good job of taking care of the building, he said.

Bowers had no damage estimate, but said the property owner was insured. By SHEILA STOGSDILL World Correspondent

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