Altus Firefighters responded to a structure fire at 1317 Hemlock at 2:11 a.m. Saturday, July 14. According to Jerry Abbott, Altus City Fire Marshal, “Altus firefighters reported heavy smoke upon arrival of the scene. Three residents were inside the house when the fire started. Two of the occupants were able to escape from the fire through the front door without assistance,” Abbott said. One resident was treated on the scene while another was taken to Jackson County Memorial Hospital by private vehicle. He was treated for smoke inhalation and released.
As firefighters made their way into the house, a third victim was discovered in the Northeast bedroom. It is at this location that Abbott said the fire originally started. This victim was removed from the house by firefighters and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Abbott.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, containing it to the room of origin and the hallway of the structure. There was no functioning smoke detector in the house. Though the fire is still under investigation at this time, Abbott said, “The cause of fire appears to be electrical in nature.”
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