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Fri June 6, 2008
Winds fuel flames, outages in state
Plains states brace for twister outbreak
Fatal waves at Lake Hefner: Man drowns after going overboard
It was a day that brought what felt like almost biblical calamities. Thursday started with shaking of the earth in the metro area, followed by high winds that led to a drowning. Later, the lights went out as power lines came crash
Fatal waves at Lake Hefner: Man drowns after going overboard
It was a day that brought what felt like almost biblical calamities. Thursday started with shaking of the earth in the metro area, followed by high winds that led to a drowning. Later, the lights went out as power lines came crash
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Fires
Pamilea Medley clung to her straw sun hat Thursday as she watched her son's uninsured house in Gotebo go up in flames from a fire. About 75 other people had to evacuate their homes because of the blaze, which destroyed another house and a barn.
No injuries were reported.
"So far, no one has been killed,” said Medley, her backside pelted by dust and dirt from a fierce southerly wind. "Thank God ... You know, life is good. We should count our blessings. I believe something good will come out of this in the end.”
Nick Wooten — Medley's son — watched in frustration.
Wooten had been slowly refurbishing the 100-year-old house for his pregnant wife, Rachel, and their 2-year-old daughter, Estella. In recent months, he installed new plumbing, electricity, a bathroom and a roof. The family was only weeks away from moving into their house.
"The wind is so strong, we never had a chance,” said Wooten, his face blackened by ash and smoke.
Witnesses said the fire began in a pasture just south of Wooten's home about 2 p.m. It was reported by former Gotebo Fire Chief Steven Arganbright.
"He didn't hesitate,” said Connie Davis, an EMT from neighboring Mountain View. "He said send multiple departments. He knew instantly what he was looking at with the winds and all, and began plowing a break line.”
The wind proved too stout.
Within minutes, authorities were running from house to house, evacuating everyone in the fire's potential path. By 4 p.m., the fire appeared to be contained as crews from Gotebo, Rocky, Hobart, Cooperton, Lone Wolf, Saddle Mountain and Sedan filled the small Kiowa County town of 270 residents.
In western Comanche County, firefighters also battled a blaze caused by a downed power line, said Chris Killmer, public information officer for the county. Killmer said officials got the call for the fire about 2:45 p.m. and got it under control by 3:30 p.m. Killmer said nine fire departments worked to put out the blaze which burned about 25 acres aided by gusting winds. No injuries were reported and no homes were evacuated.
"When we got the call we immediately called three other departments,” Killmer said. "That's really what saved us.”
Clinton Sherman Fire Chief Phillip Lile, said the barracks caught fire when the roof was blown off in what appeared to be the result of an 