Tulsa County sheriff's deputies investigating a disturbance call in Turley discovered two fires within two blocks of each other, eventually prompting an arson related arrest.
Authorities arrested Valerie Whitsell on two counts of arson after deputies were called to a home in the 6500 block of North Norfolk Avenue in Turley for a violation of protective order.
During the course of that investigation, deputies discovered that Whitsell's home caught fire.
A short time later and just a couple of blocks from that fire, deputies realized another house fire broke out near the 6600 block of North Norfolk Avenue near East 66th Street North.
Capt. John Bryant with the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office says Whitsell is suspected of setting those fires.
According to Capt. Bryant, multiple witnesses told investigators that Valerie Whitsell could be seen running from house to house before eventually heading to a home in the area where she is staying.
It took firefighters from Turley, as well as mutual aid from Blackdog, Sperry and Tulsa fire departments to put out both fires.
"It's really important for us given the fact that, you know, most of our guys or all of our guys have full-time jobs outside of the fire department. Mutual aid, really without it, we wouldn't be able to function as we do," said Lt. Joe Frailey with the Turley Fire Department.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
