Grass Fire Destroys 3 Vehicles At Soccer Tournament In Broken Arrow

Neighbors and families watched as three cars caught fire during a soccer tournament on Oct. 27 in Broken Arrow.

Firefighters are investigating what sparked the grass fire at Indian Springs Sports Complex.

Broken Arrow is in the near critical zone for the potential for rapid fire spread, and firefighters worry there could be more fires if people are not careful.

Firefighters said they are ready to respond during the high fire danger, but they need everyone's help.

Stephani Zanotelli lives nearby and rushed to see the grass on fire and three cars in flames.

"My first concern was knowing the high fire danger lately, knowing if they were going to be able to put it out for the apartment buildings and of course there was still kids playing games over here and with us living right there, we didn't know if it kept spreading, what would happen,” said Zanotelli.

Capt. Branson Phillips with the Broken Arrow Fire Department said investigators are looking into how the fire started.

"Whether it be somebody throwing a cigarette out the window driving down the road, chains being drugged, especially from a trailer can cause some sparks. So the bottom of your car gets really hot where your muffler is, your catalytic converter, things like that."

Capt. Phillips said with dry conditions and strong winds, fires spread quickly, so Broken Arrow and nearby departments brought several engines and brush trucks.

Firefighters said their brush trucks usually hold 250 gallons of water. When they need more water, they will use a nearby fire hydrant or a fire engine.

"Our crews did a really good job of getting there and putting a good stop on the fire,” said Capt. Phillips. “It was actually headed toward an apartment complex. Sounds like that privacy fence that was there slowed the progress of the fire."

Firefighters hope while they are on standby to respond, everyone will be more careful of what they do and where they park.

"There's signs out too yesterday that said don't park on the grass and things like that because it's scary,” said Zanotelli.

Firefighters said luckily it was a south wind while the fire started on the north side of the complex, so it did not spread to the soccer fields.

They also say while we need rain, it could also lead to more problems because the grass is still prone to catch fire, and the wet grass could make it hard for the brush trucks to get around.