NORMAN, Okla. --
A Norman home was ripped apart by flames on Thursday, and firefighters cited two issues that made battling the blaze really tough.
The fire caused more than $260,000 in damage to a police officer's home near 96th Avenue NE and Tecumseh Road.
Fire officials said 18 firefighters from three stations responded to 2829 96th Ave. NE. However, it's an area where there are not many hydrants.
"We're probably three or four miles to the closest hydrant," said Norman Assistant Fire Chief Bob Bledsoe.
So, firefighters had to bring their own water to fight the fire.
The other problem stemmed form a hornets' nest near the house. Several crew members were stung.
"That's something we weren't prepared to deal with," Bledsoe said. "They impeded our ability to get into the house and work around the structure."
One firefighter suffered heat exhaustion, fire officials said. He was taken to a local hospital.
"Temperatures don't have to be extremely hot for us to experience that kind of fatigue," Bledsoe said.
Two family members were home at the time of the fire and both got out safely. Nobody was injured.
Fire officials said they believe the blaze started in the garage but that it had not been confirmed.
Officer's Norman Home Gutted By Fire
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