Fire Consumes Luxury Home Near Verdigris

Wednesday, June 22nd 2016, 7:36 am

By: Dee Duren, Joseph Holloway

Several fire departments responded to a large fire that broke out at a Verdigris-area luxury home Wednesday morning. The home is located in the 25000 block of South 4106 Road, west of Verdigris and south of Highway 266.

Verdigris, Claremore and Catoosa, Tiawah, Rolling Hills and Limestone fire departments all helped battle the fire. Firefighters shuttled water to the home, and were slowly been able to bring it under control.

Verdigris Fire Chief Mike Shaffer said the nearest hydrant was about a mile away, so tankers had to fill up then dump water into a tank for crews to use. Different departments took turns as crews battled the heat as well as the fire.

The roof is completely charred and collapsing in places. Smoke could be seen from a long distance as crews battled the fire for over an hour.

Shaffer told News On 6 the fire started in the second floor and then burned through to the attic. Smoke alarms alerted the couple and their two children in time to escape.

They called for help around 5:45 a.m. Verdigris Fire was first on scene, then other departments arrived to help.

The woman said she smelled smoke a few hours before the smoke detectors went off but thought a neighbor might be burning something.

The home is on a large acreage, and the fire wasn't threatening any other structures. Firefighters said they believe the home is five to seven years old and about 5,000 square feet.

Rogers County Sheriff's Office was also on scene.

The fire department will investigate to learn the cause of the fire. A family member suspects it was electrical.