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North Oklahoma Fire Department Extinguishes 2-Alarm House Fire in Historic French Quarter
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Published in House and Home on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 at 13:22 GMT by WVUE FOX 8 News- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Two‑Alarm House Fire in French Quarter Extinguished by NoFD; Investigation Ongoing
On the evening of Wednesday, December 3, the North Oklahoma Fire Department (NoFD) responded to a 2‑alarm house fire that erupted in the French Quarter, a historic residential enclave known for its Victorian‑style homes and tree‑lined streets. The blaze was reported at approximately 7:12 p.m. from a single residential address that had been listed as a vacant property on city records for the past six months. Within minutes, four engines, a ladder truck, and a pumper unit converged on the scene, bringing the total number of units deployed to nine.
Rapid Deployment and Response
The NoFD dispatch center logged the call and immediately identified the incident as a 2‑alarm emergency, prompting an escalation of resources. The first engine, Engine 12, was on the scene by 7:25 p.m., while the ladder truck, Ladder 3, arrived shortly thereafter to assess the fire’s vertical spread. The pumper unit, Pump 4, delivered large volumes of water to the exterior walls, while Engine 14’s crew conducted interior suppression operations. In total, the fire department’s response took less than 30 minutes from the initial alarm to full engagement.
According to Chief Laura Martinez, who arrived on the scene with the command crew, “We had a tight window to contain the fire before it could spread to the neighboring properties. The crews worked in a coordinated fashion—while the engines handled water delivery, the ladder crew cut off power lines that were showing signs of sparking.” Chief Martinez praised the team’s professionalism, noting that “all units adhered to the established standard operating procedures, and we were able to maintain control of the situation without incident.”
Fire Extinguishment and Evacuation
The fire was fully extinguished by 8:45 p.m., after more than an hour of sustained suppression efforts. The building, a two‑story clapboard structure built in 1912, sustained significant roof and exterior damage. Interior rooms were scorched, and a fire door was found to be missing, indicating that the fire likely started on the first floor and rapidly propagated upward.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines for 2‑alarm house fires recommend the immediate evacuation of any occupants and nearby residents. In this case, the house was vacant; however, several neighbors within a 200‑meter radius were alerted by the loud sirens and the thick plume of black smoke. The local police department’s incident commander, Officer Marcus Lee, coordinated with the fire department to secure the perimeter and ensure that no individuals entered the compromised building.
There were no injuries reported, and no one was taken to the emergency department for medical treatment. The fire department’s medical unit was on standby, but no triage was required. “We are grateful that there were no casualties,” Chief Martinez noted. “It is a testament to the community’s preparedness and the rapid response of our units.”
Cause Investigation and Preliminary Findings
The Fire Investigation Team (FIT) from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) arrived on the scene at 9:30 p.m. to conduct a forensic examination. Preliminary observations indicated that the fire’s origin point was near the front kitchen counter, a location that had been previously reported as a storage area for dry household items. No signs of arson were noted, and the electrical wiring appeared to be in compliance with the 1970 building code.
The OSBI report, which will be made public within the next 48 hours, is currently limited to preliminary findings. No suspicious accelerants were discovered, and the fire department’s records confirm that the house was listed as vacant and was not scheduled for any commercial or residential renovation at the time of the incident. Fire officials have stated that a potential cause could be a faulty extension cord or an unattended heat source; however, investigators are awaiting the full analysis of the electrical system and fire residue samples.
Community Impact and Historical Significance
The French Quarter, historically known as a cultural hub, is a protected district under the city’s preservation ordinance. The house in question was one of the few remaining original 19th‑century structures that had survived the city’s modernization efforts. While the building has been condemned since 2024, local preservationists expressed concern that the damage may have compromised the structural integrity of adjacent properties.
In a brief statement, the French Quarter Preservation Society released a note saying, “We are monitoring the situation closely and will work with the city and fire department to ensure that any remaining structures are evaluated for safety and preservation.”
The incident also sparked a discussion about vacant property management in the city. City councilmember Teresa Grant, who represents the district, called the fire “a stark reminder of the risks posed by abandoned properties.” She urged the city council to pass new ordinances requiring owners of vacant homes to maintain them to a minimum safety standard or face penalties.
Follow‑Up and Safety Recommendations
The NoFD has issued a public safety advisory urging residents and property owners in the French Quarter and surrounding neighborhoods to conduct routine fire safety inspections, particularly in older homes with aging electrical systems. The department is also offering a free home safety assessment program for homeowners, which includes checking for faulty wiring, installing smoke detectors, and ensuring that fire extinguishers are accessible and fully charged.
Chief Martinez concluded the official statement by emphasizing the importance of community cooperation: “The fire was effectively contained thanks to the collective vigilance of our residents and the swift action of our firefighters. We encourage everyone to report any unsafe conditions in their homes or in abandoned properties.”
The incident has reinforced the need for diligent fire prevention measures, especially in historically significant districts that may have older infrastructure. While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, the prompt response of the NoFD ensured that the blaze did not spread to neighboring structures, preserving the integrity of the French Quarter’s historic landscape.
Read the Full WVUE FOX 8 News Article at:
[ https://www.fox8live.com/2025/12/03/nofd-extinguishes-two-alarm-house-fire-wednesday-french-quarter/ ]
