What started as a fire at a homeless encampment in northwest Oklahoma City turned into a tense afternoon for storage customers on Saturday, after flames spread into a row of storage buildings that included several U-Haul units. The blaze broke out near Northwest 24th Street and North MacArthur Boulevard, and Oklahoma City Fire Department crews moved in quickly to box it in. Officials said the response stayed controlled and no injuries were reported.
Fire began at encampment and spread to storage units
According to KFOR, firefighters at the scene were told the blaze started at a nearby homeless camp, then jumped into multiple storage buildings clustered around the Northwest 24th and North MacArthur intersection. U-Haul storage buildings were among those affected, and crews reported the fire was under control while they continued putting out hot spots and checking units.
City logs and resources
The Oklahoma City Fire Department maintains a public log of daily structure-fire responses and also posts safety information for residents dealing with the aftermath of a blaze. Per the City of Oklahoma City, those pages include guidance on what to do after a structure fire, from initial cleanup to longer-term recovery.
Encampment blazes remain a concern
Fires linked to homeless encampments have been a recurring headache for crews in the northwest part of the city. In late January, firefighters were dispatched to a similar camp-related blaze near Northwest 10th Street. KOCO reported on that earlier incident and noted that city outreach workers continue trying to connect people living outdoors with shelter and services, even as fire risks persist.
Advice for storage customers
Anyone renting storage space near the fire scene is encouraged to reach out directly to their facility to check on possible damage, report any losses and find out what documentation might be needed. Customers can also contact their insurance company to start any potential claims. U-Haul lists its Oklahoma City locations and phone numbers online for those looking to confirm the status of a specific site.
Investigation underway
Officials have not yet released an official cause of the blaze and said investigators will be working to determine exactly how it started. KFOR and city information channels were at the scene and are expected to post further updates as investigators share more details.
