Major fire burns south Tulsa apartment complex

By John Dobberstein, Editor

TULSA — A 3-alarm fire at an apartment complex in south Tulsa Monday caused major damage but nobody was injured, the Tulsa Fire Department said.

Dispatchers received multiple calls around 6:30 p.m. from the Windsail Apartments, 9808 E. 73^rd St. South, where occupants reported heavy smoke and flames. TFD responded with 10 engines, 6 ladder trucks, a rehab unit, air and light unit, two district chiefs and multiple EMS officers.

“When we arrived the roof had already been burned through, and due to the wind and old construction of this type of building, they had open attics, so the fire can spread really quickly,” said TFD Public Information Officer Andrew Little.

Firefighters got the fire under control but spent considerable time taking walls apart to douse hidden fires and hot spots.

Little said all residents were able to exit the building, but firefighters did rescue some pets from the units. Two Tulsa firefighters were transported for heat-related illnesses.

Little said the blaze is still under investigation but the department is leaning toward an accidental cause, possibly from an unextinguished cigarette. “It will take some work from our investigators to determine that for sure,” Little said.

The Tulsa Police Department, EMSA and the American Red Cross assisted at the scene.