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Neighbors react after fire on property near Campus Corner in Norman

Posted: Mar 14th 2023 By: KOCO Staff

Editor's Note: Mitchell Black is Mitch Onyx's real name

Shortly after 2 p.m. Monday, crews responded to a scene near Boyd Street and Deans Row Avenue where a two-story apartment building was on fire. Occupants of the second story had already jumped to safety, and occupants of the first floor were able to exit safely.

The fire was extinguished quickly, and no injuries have been reported. There is heavy smoke, fire and water damage to the structure, as well as a vehicle on the scene.

"Opening the door, it was like the gates of hell man, just straight flames," said Mitchell Black, a tenant.

Smoke was seen from the surrounding blocks after a small apartment building went up in flames. From the second-story window, Black said he didn't have much time and had to jump.

"Just not thinking, off instinct. But really, I'm just glad me and my family are safe," Black said.

He landed without any injuries thanks to his neighbors who lived below him.
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"Me and him grabbed a bed, so they could jump out…and we grabbed the cat first, and then they jumped out. His brother saw the smoke because he lives up there at the top, and he called us and said, your house is on fire. So we ran outside," said Jraven Harvell, a tenant.

The Norman FD said called started coming in around 2 p.m. Everyone got out just fine and no one was injured but the entire back half of the building is destroyed and a nearby car burst into flames too.

"It's just stressful because we just got back on our feet. So we just gotta keep our heads steady," Harvell said.

They don't have a home now. Harvell said he just moved in on Sunday and it's a step back for Black, as well.

"We just moved here in February, so very recent still," Black said.