In the dark early hours of Tuesday morning, a Lawton family woke up to every parent's nightmare: a house on fire and children trapped inside.
Firefighters were called to 1707 SW C Avenue and arrived to find the home already heavily involved, according to a press release from the City of Lawton. Crews forced their way in through the back of the residence, finding one child, then a second during a continued search, while other occupants managed to escape on their own.
Two children were flown to an Oklahoma City hospital in critical condition, officials said. Their mother was also transported with injuries. Four other children and their father got out without being hurt.
LFD Squad 5 was the first unit on scene, and the fire department credited the fast response and teamwork of firefighters, police and EMS for getting everyone out. Lawton Fire Chief Jared Williams said in the city’s statement that “our hearts are with this family during an incredibly difficult and frightening time,” and he praised the “swift, coordinated actions” of first responders at the scene. Multiple EMS units, including Memorial Health EMS, and Lawton Police officers helped provide life-saving care and handled transports.
Local television crews reported the call came in at about 4:01 a.m., and cameras captured multiple fire stations and ambulances converging on the neighborhood, as reported by KSWO. The station also reported an earlier vacant-house fire around 2:30 a.m. that did not result in injuries. Reporters at the scene said at least one person was seen being placed into an ambulance while emergency workers treated patients.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, the City of Lawton said. Investigators plan to release more information when they can and publicly thanked partner agencies for their quick response. Officials have not yet indicated whether any state investigators will be brought in.
How Investigations Proceed
When a fire leads to serious injuries, local departments can call in the Office of the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal for help with origin-and-cause work, evidence collection and possible criminal investigations, according to the Office of the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal. The state agency notes that incidents involving fatalities or serious injuries receive priority and that its agents are sworn law-enforcement officers who respond when requested by local authorities.
Where To Get Updates
City officials are asking residents to follow official municipal channels for verified updates while local broadcasters continue to cover developments. Coverage from KSWO is being updated as new information comes in.
The community response is still taking shape, and Lawton officials say their thoughts remain with the family as they face the long road to recovery. This article will be updated as authorities release additional details.
