Suspect In Creek County Wildfires Still At Large A Year Later

One year ago today, a cigarette sparked a massive wildfire in Creek County. The wind spread the fire across more than 50,000 acres over several days, and it burned more than 400 homes.

The Bristow man who authorities believe started the fire - Billy Cloud - disappeared shortly afterward.

Authorities have no good leads on where to find him.

Investigators traced the origin of the fire to the point where they believe Cloud purposely started the fire with a cigarette.

There's still no sign of Cloud, but families are rebuilding.

See complete 2012 Oklahoma Wildfire coverage

The scars remain visible above the lush green of Creek County. This year couldn't be more different that the last, with lots of rain slowly restoring the landscape.

The fire's mark remains on the outside of a concrete home that was under construction when the blaze began.

"We had just had the AC turned on - were moving some things in," Eddie Sweet said.

It burned and is now being built for the second time.

Sweet is trying to put the past behind him.

"Well I have a pretty strong faith, and - I don't know how to explain it - I just want to move on," he said.

Sweet's custom home plans changed a lot after the first one burned. In ways, he thinks this one is better.

He said he's been blessed with kindness and that's why he doesn't focus on Cloud.

"The fire had passed mine and then it came back and took mine out, so I don't know if Billy Cloud or fate had anything to do with that," Sweet said. "It's awful that people would set fires."

A year ago, the wildfire raged and burned to the edge of Mannford before it was stopped.

Many of the people who lost everything weren't able to rebuild because they didn't have insurance.

Many moved away for good, some moved into town, a few, like Sweet, had the money to rebuild a home as good or better than what they had before.

"It's been a ride, but I've learned a lot, went through a lot and learned a lot," he said.

Investigators told News On 6 leads still come in occasionally and they check them out. But they honestly don't know if Cloud is nearby or far away, or for that matter, alive or dead.