TULSA, Okla. — An apartment explosion near E 16th and Memorial killed a man Friday morning.
The explosion and fire happened at Magnolia Creek Apartments just before 7 a.m.
It was a tense and emotional scene as residents evacuated from the back building of the apartment complex, not knowing what was happening or if they would have a home to come back to. 2 News could see people on the phone with friends and family, others pacing back and forth, and one resident was taken away on a stretcher. Their condition is unknown at this time.
The man who lives above the unit where the explosion happened told us what he felt.
“I heard a sound about the time I opened my eyes. It sounded like an explosion," Illiaya Williams said. "I heard it, and I seen the floor raise up in the air. It looked like it came up a foot or two, and stuff just started falling off the walls and the glass blew out. About that time, I jumped up trying to figure out what happened, and when I opened the door, I could see all the glass from the apartment below us had blew out.”
According to Tulsa Fire Department, the resident that lived in the upstairs apartment received minor injuries. Williams told 2 News his girlfriend was hit in the head from items falling off the walls.
A Tulsa Police Captain on scene said he believes it started from someone smoking near an oxygen tank.
TFD said about three units were damaged, and as of 9 a.m., when the fire was out, TFD reported the cause of the fire was still under investigation.
Andy Little with TFD said a firefighter did get a minor cut, but he was treated and released from the hospital.
Another resident 2 News spoke to describes his reaction to the chaotic scene as it unfolded.
“Making sure everyone around me safe because I wouldn’t want that to happen to my place,” Tyree Brooks said.
Around 9:30 a.m., Tulsa fire and Red Cross were escorting residents back to their apartments. Some lost everything, while others still have a place to go home to.
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