Tulsa Firefighter Injured, Brought Back To Life In Arson

A Tulsa firefighter was brought back to life following a house fire Saturday night. The fire was deliberately set, according to an update by the Tulsa Fire Department.

James P. O'Neal, 35, is a 14-year TFD veteran. He is recovering from his injuries on Sunday. 

O'Neal was responding to a house fire in the 4900 block of North Elwood Avenue at about 7:30 p.m. He was assigned to fire attack on a home that was showing heavy smoke and flames.

O'Neal was at the back of the house when the injury occurred, according to Tulsa Fire Public Information Officer Stan May.

Other crew members sounded a "Mayday," and a rapid intervention crew was sent in immediately, May said.

12/27/2011 Related Story: Tulsa Fire Says Arson Is To Blame For House Fire Which Spread To Second Home

"They were able to rescue the downed firefighter," May said. "The firefighter did not have a pulse and was not breathing when the rescue team brought him out of the structure."

Life support crews were able to revive the firefighter who was then taken to a local hospital where he is listed in stable condition.

"The arsonist set the back of the structure on fire while the resident was not inside the home," May said.

"There were several citizens in the neighborhood around the time of the arson, and the fire marshal is asking anybody with information about the incident to call the Arson Hotline at 918-596-2776 (ARSN)," he said.

Tulsa Firefighters IAFF Local 176 has added an additional $1,000 reward to the Arson Hotline effort.