With the outside temperature registering 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more both last Wednesday (July 6) and Thursday afternoon, firefighters from Purcell and Lexington battled house fires on back-to-back days in Lexington.

Both days the fires were also attacked by Noble, Slaughterville and Cedar Country fire companies.

The Wednesday call came in at 1:40 p.m. of a house on fire at 411 E. Catalpa.

The house had recently been purchased by Dusty and Keri Buff and was being renovated, according to Lexington Fire Chief Max Punneo. The structure was empty at the time of the fire.

The couple was outside mowing when the fire broke out and went to a neighbor’s house to report the fire to the fire department.

Punneo believes it started in the attic of the house.

Crews battled not only the fire but the intense heat.

Wadley’s EMS had two vehicles at the scene and administered two units of IV fluids to each firefighter, both Punneo and Purcell Fire Chief Greg Cypert reported.

“Wadley’s was there for hydration and rehab,” Punneo said. “We really appreciated them.”

Punneo estimated the house to be an $80,000 complete loss.

Other than the hydration issues, no one was injured in the incident.

Firefighters remained on scene until around 7:30 p.m.

The Thursday fire, reported just after 1 p.m., was a home at 521 E. Beech.

It was also a total loss along with a late model Ford SUV.

The two houses were a mere five blocks apart.

Punneo said Gina King and her two daughters were renting the property.

King and one of her daughters were home at the time fire broke out and were able to exit the structure through the back door.

Punneo suspects the cause of the blaze to be electrical.

The Red Cross was contacted and put the trio up in a room at Rubys Inn and were in the process of acquiring clothing and other items, Punneo said late last night.

The chief estimated the loss at $85,000.

No intravenous fluids were required for firefighters at the Thursday fire.

“We had a big shade tree and a little wind blowing,” Punneo said.