Guymon Apartment Fire Destroys 16 Units, Displaces 40 Residents

Forty residents of the Apache Trace Apartments at 1301 E. Hwy 3 lost their homes Monday after fire tore through the complex's H-building, collapsing the roof and destroying all 16 units. Preliminary damage estimates have already surpassed $1 million.

Displaced residents can seek immediate assistance through the American Red Cross, which was on scene Monday coordinating shelter and emergency resources. The Red Cross Guymon office is reachable at 580-338-1872. Texas County Emergency Management, which also deployed to the scene, can be reached at 580-338-0911 at their office at 2906 Tumbleweed Drive. A community-organized GoFundMe has been established to route donations directly to affected families for hotel stays, clothing, and food while insurance claims and permanent housing options are sorted out.

Wind made the fire exceptionally difficult to contain. Guymon Fire Chief Grant Wadley said the conditions forced a rapid escalation: "With the intense winds and the fire growing larger, this quickly became a third alarm fire bringing firefighters and units from Goodwell and Hooker." The full response included Guymon Police officers, Texas County Sheriff's deputies, and Tri-County Electric personnel. Crews remained on scene more than 12 hours to extinguish hot spots after the roof collapsed, and neighboring buildings at the complex were evacuated to give firefighters room to work.

Two residents inside the H-building when the fire broke out were treated for smoke inhalation by Guymon Fire Paramedics and released at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

The Guymon Fire Marshal's Office has opened an investigation into origin and cause. Investigators will examine electrical systems, appliances, and other potential ignition sources; no determination has been made. Wind's role in accelerating the blaze will also be part of the review.

Apache Trace has a documented history with fire. In June 1998, a separate blaze at the same complex destroyed eight buildings while they were still under construction. That history, combined with Monday's total loss of an occupied residential building, raises pointed questions about fire alarm coverage, sprinkler systems, inspection frequency, and evacuation planning across Guymon's multi-family housing stock. Renters across the city should confirm with their landlord or property manager that smoke alarms are tested and that a clear evacuation route exists.

The Fire Marshal's cause determination and updated displacement tallies from Texas County Emergency Management are the next major updates expected in this ongoing recovery.