COLCORD, Okla. — About 50 firefighters were called to a fire that ripped through a nearly 13,000-square-foot gymnasium and an attached apartment at New Life Ranch between West Siloam Springs, Okla., and Colcord, Okla., on Friday.

The fire started about 2 p.m. in the northeast corner of the gym, which is a metal building.

An attached apartment with a brick facade was the home for about six interns, said David Jaquess, executive director of New Life Ranch.

“The only thing they have is what they are wearing,” Jaquess said. Their belongings in the apartment were destroyed. No one was injured.

Staff at the ranch were preparing for 250 juniorhigh school students arriving from Little Rock and about 70 members of the John Brown University choir when the fire started.

“The firefighters got here fast,” Jaquess said. “West Siloam Springs was first on the scene.”

Responders from Colcord, Okla.; Flint Ridge, Okla.; Kansas, Okla.; Oaks, Okla.; Siloam Springs; Watts, Okla., and West Siloam Springs, Okla., fought the blaze.

Jaquess doesn’t believe the fire is suspicious. Everyone who was at the ranch when the fire started knew each other.

The gym, which was built in 1972, had basketball goals, volleyball equipment and a climbing wall.

Jaquess said 450 members of an area church are expected to spend next weekend at the camp.

News, Pages 4 on 01/16/2013