"I'm about to hand out vouchers," Bailey said. "The cost is paid for by Residence Inn and picked up by the insurance company. It's a good program."

Bailey said American Red Cross workers also were on their way to offer help.

Meanwhile, investigators were on the scene trying to determine the fire's cause. Firefighters were putting water on burned wood and hot ashes two hours after the fire began.

"It's a very warm and humid night. Fortunately no one was hurt. The firefighters will be here for several more hours putting out hot spots," Bailey said.

Tiffany called her husband, Chris, a musician in the Navy who just finished basic training in Virginia. Although relieved to know that Tiffany, Courtney and Gus were all right, Chris was depressed to learn that his tuba was destroyed in the blaze, along with the couple's wedding gifts that Tiffany said she'd just gotten out of storage in preparation for her move to Virginia next month.

The sisters said they would probably drive to their parents' house in Altus later that night. "They're concerned about us and want us home," Courtney said.

Tom Blakey 366-3540 tblakey@normantranscript.com