Arson Suspected in Wilson City Hall Fire

Wilson, Okla. - Shortly after midnight on Monday morning, August 10, Wilson dispatcher Annabell Callison heard a noise similar to a soda vending machine. A mother of five, Annabell has dispatched for the City of Wilson since 2005. Familiar with the ease at which sound carries in the quiet hours, she assumed someone was next door at Super C Grocery. Out of curiosity, she looked out the window, but saw an empty parking lot. Intrigued, Annabell stepped outside to look around, but saw no one. However, she did smell burning plastic. Uneasy, she looked around both sides of city hall, across the street, up and down Main Street, 9th Street, the library next door, all to no avail. Callison's experience prompted her to request Officer Jacob Ricketts return to city hall. Seconds later, Annabell sees Reserve Officer Rick Lakey approaching quickly. He had seen fire burning inside the rear garage area of city hall and requested Annabell summon firefighters.

Officers Ricketts and Lakey began fighting the fire with a water hose as smoke filled the building. Former reserve police officer Charlie Moss joined his former colleagues' effort. Meanwhile, emergency dispatcher Annabell Callison is laying down on the floor to remain below smoke level in order to communicate with fire department personnel responding to the city's emergency page signal. Shortly, firefighters arrived to contain the flames engulfing the city's blue 1986 Chevrolet pickup parked inside the city hall garage.

Police Chief Felix Hernandez arrived to investigate the scene. He directed Officer Wolfenbarger to begin canvassing neighborhoods. Within an hour, Chief Hernandez had interviewed two persons of interest, an adult and a female juvenile. However, the WPD is still contacting family members and friends in search for a third person of interest. Investigating the scene later that morning, state fire marshal agent Judah Sheppard confirmed suspicion the fire was intentionally set.

Fire Chief Jeff Stearns credits Moss, Ricketts and Lakey for preventing the truck on each side of the pick-up from exploding.

Stearns stated, "We would have lost the entire building."

Chief Stearns thanked his firefighters, Derek Fincher, Gary Joe Idleman, Justin Williams, Matt Dickerson, Walter Robinson, and Justin Wiles.

Stearns commented, "All the guys did a really great job of containing the fire. I'm proud of them." Dispatcher Annabell Callison received oxygen from SOAS ambulance personnel for smoke inhalation, but declined a ride to the Healdton hospital for a check-up. A couple hours later, she complained of a headache and chest pain. As a result, the Wilson dispatcher was treated for smoke inhalation and anxiety before being released from the Healdton Hospital.