Several buildings destroyed in Wagoner fire

WAGONER, Okla. — The Wagoner Fire Department says multiple people are homeless and at least five buildings are destroyed after a massive fire ripped through downtown Wagoner Sunday afternoon.

Multiple crews responded to the fire about 5:30 p.m. Sunday after flames broke out at a historic building near South Main Street and West Cherokee Street. The flames burned for several hours and destroyed multiple businesses and apartments in the buildings.

Crews were forced to fight the fire defensively from the street because the buildings were so old. They say their main concern was trying to keep the fire from spreading even more than it did.

It appears the fire started in a second-story apartment in one of those buildings, according to the Wagoner Fire Department.

A small fire flared up inside a pharmacy after 5 a.m., though firefighters say everything is under control.

According to one television station, fire crews from 13 different agencies were called to the massive fire.

Firefighters were forced to evacuate several businesses and apartment buildings as the flames spread.

In all, officials say at least five businesses were destroyed, including some that were built in the 1800s.

One of the buildings that was destroyed was the Owl Drug pharmacy, which just celebrated its 115th anniversary.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.