TFD Says Abandoned Buildings Are Cause For Concern In Colder Weather

The Tulsa Fire Department said abandoned buildings are a cause for concern as the weather gets cooler. Firefighters believe a fire at an abandoned home near 56th Street North and MLK last night started because homeless people were staying there.

Andy Little with the Tulsa Fire Department said it's not uncommon as the weather gets colder for firefighters to get a call about an abandoned building catching fire, and investigators said often homeless people looking for a place to stay are responsible. 

"Any structure is going to be more secure than someone laying on the side of the road or under a bridge. It provides them, somewhat, security, whether it's assault from someone else," said Little. "There is safety in four walls."

He said it's uncomfortable for people to be sleeping outside and potentially dangerous to their health. 

That's why, Little said, he wasn't surprised by Sunday night's abandoned house fire, which was a home he said also caught fire over the summer. He said the home had been re-secured multiple times and was scheduled to be re-secured again sometime soon when it caught fire.

Little said while abandoned properties may appear locked or boarded up, people looking for a place to stay can usually find a way inside. He said they've even seen boards taken down and put back up with hinges added to them for easy access to the building. 

"If you drive by and look at it, it appears to still be secured. People aren't dumb. They aren't just ripping these boards off," said Little. "The problem is, because they want to make it look like it's secure, they're finding ways to get into these structures and make them appear to still be secure. Which means they are somewhat secure, right?"

Little said this can be very dangerous if someone were to get stuck inside after a fire starts.  

"If there is a fire, let's say the fire is in an area that they made their entry into, now you've got wood nailed up on all the other windows and stuff," said Little. "Maybe they can't get out. So maybe they die in a fire. We are still going to risk our lives to make sure there's not somebody in there because everybody deserves that protection."

He said this creates danger for those who broke in and for the firefighters risking their lives to save others. He said they will risk a lot for life. 

"We need people in these neighborhoods that see people coming and going from the structure they know has been condemned, that they know is abandoned, we need those people to call in," said Little. "In all reality, you may be saving someone's life by doing so, because these structures have been condemned for a reason."

The Salvation Army said they can help the homeless find somewhere to go. 

"Those who are camping or seeking shelter in somewhere that's abandoned need not do that, because there is a place for them," said Major Mark Harwell, Tulsa Metro area commander for The Salvation Army. "It certainly is pretty heart wrenching. It really does break your heart to see folks and particularly again when we do have room for them. No human being should be on the street in such a desperate situation."

The pandemic is forcing them to reduce capacity, but Major Harwell said they have plenty of room right now.

"One of our biggest challenges is certainly related to the pandemic which has really decreased the number of individuals who can take shelter within the facility," said Major Harwell. "We know that at some point as the colder weather moves in, the threat of hypothermia and the impact of being in the weather is going to demand probably more attention certainly than being concerned for the spread of the virus."

He said their normal winter capacity for their emergency shelter is about 240, and they saw a peak last year right at 300 individuals seeking shelter. 

"Following our social distancing protocols that number is roughly about 150 who can be in doors in our emergency shelter," said Major Harwell. "So, you can see there's a challenge there as we begin to go through another winter."

The Salvation Army said it's the largest provider of emergency shelter in the area. If temperatures are above 40 degrees, they usually just offer overnight shelter. However, if it gets colder and the weather becomes inclement, they open their warming stations for people to come and go as they please with no limit of frequency. 

Major Harwell said there are a number of reasons why people may choose not to take shelter. Some suffer from mental illness and addictions. He said they could have anxiety about the pandemic, and the family accommodations do get stretched. 

"That may mean a husband, or a head of household may need to stay in a dormitory setting with men or women depending on their gender identity," Major Harwell said.

Major Harwell said The Salvation Army is also providing a warm Thanksgiving meal next week to those in need. He said they also collect donations and are regularly providing coats, winter wear, hats, and gloves to the homeless. 

For more information about The Salvation Army's shelters, click here.