Tulsa Fire Arson Investigators arrested a suspect after an early morning apartment fire near 17th and Riverside.
James Stout faces arson charges for the fire that started around 7:15 a.m. on Wednesday at the Denver Park Apartments near 17th and Denver. Fire officials say Stout got into an argument with a roommate and set the apartment on fire.
35 people are homeless after their homes were destroyed.People who lived in the apartments couldn’t believe their eyes when they woke up Wednesday morning to see the building burning.
"It’s something you just don’t want to go home and think of the other possibilities because it all could’ve been a total loss," said a renter who didn’t want to be identified.
The fire, smoke and water damaged much of his place. But family memories captured through pictures survived. This renter is just glad no one died.
"Thank God no one was injured," he told FOX23.
Four buildings were completely destroyed and a dozen others stained by the black smoke and water.
"A fire in an apartment complex like this affects everybody in the complex," said Stan May, with the Tulsa Fire Department. "People are going to have to more or be displaced."
Firefighters say it’s important to make sure you’re checking your smoke detectors every month and making sure there’s a solid escape route in place in case of a fire.
The Red Cross opened a shelter for displaced residents at the Crosstown Church of Christ. The shelter closed Wednesday night.
