A fire broke out at a grow facility located in downtown Tonkawa on Thursday, Jan. 19. Tonkawa fire crews were quick to respond to the blaze, and the Tonkawa Police Department blocked off the section where the fire occurred, as well as directing traffic.

The call came in at 9:28 am. Residents in the immediate area were evacuated and employees at downtown businesses near the fire were told to shelter in place.

The Tonkawa Fire Department was assisted by the Blackwell Fire Department in combating the fire.

One fire fighter received minor injuries related to heat. This fire fighter was transported to Blackwell regional to be treated.

“He’s okay, everybody else is okay. As far as we know, the building was unoccupied when the fire started,” said Tonkawa City Manager Kirk Henderson.

The owner of the grow facility was en-route to speak with Henderson and Tonkawa Chief of Police Nick Payne. According to Henderson, the grow facility was licensed.

Officials have been unable to make an investigative entry due to the blaze which fire fighters fought well past noon.