‘It’s that time of year’: OKC Fire discusses how to safely heat homes after three house fires overnight

It was a busy night for Oklahoma City firefighters as crews battled three house fires in the metro overnight.

Luckily no one was injured, but firefighters are issuing warnings after discovering that at least two of these fires were caused by improper home heating.

“This is kind of the first cool night of the season, and it was a very busy night for the fire department,” a firefighter on scene said Wednesday morning.

It’s a trend firefighters see every year: temperatures drop, people turn on the stove or space heater, and firefighters see an increase in house fires.

“It’s that time of year,” said Scott Douglas of the OKC Fire Department.

On Wednesday morning, an improperly ventilated chimney started a fire and another was caused by an extension cord hanging from a stove.

“Before you fire up your chimney, be sure to have it swept by a certified chimney professional. Make sure there is a good screen, a mesh screen, in front of it to prevent sparks or embers from entering your home,” Douglas said.

Space heaters are also used in the colder months and can be another catalyst if left unattended.

A simple rule of thumb: space heaters take up space.

“You need to be six feet away from anything that can catch fire,” Douglas explained.

Douglas said he encourages residents to take these precautions but assures firefighters are always ready to intervene.

“We’re here seven days a week, 365 days a year,” he said.

The three fires overnight make a total of six house fires as temperatures dropped early Tuesday.

According to the Oklahoma City Fire Department, the cause of the other fire remains under investigation.