A Guymon Fire Department EMT died after fellow firefighters pulled him from his burning Goodwell home early Friday in the Oklahoma Panhandle. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities identified him as 49-year-old Steven Coen.
How crews reached the scene
Around 5:15 a.m., fire crews from Guymon, Goodwell and Texhoma were dispatched to a reported house fire on Aggie Avenue in Goodwell. Goodwell firefighters entered the home through a bedroom window and removed a person from inside. Guymon paramedics immediately began life-saving efforts before the victim was transported to an area hospital, according to KOCO.
Department statement
The Guymon Fire Department later confirmed that the person pulled from the home had died and identified him as Coen. “This is a huge loss for our Department, Community, and Area,” Guymon Fire Chief Grant Wadley said in a departmental news release, as reported by KOCO.
Coen's local role
According to the department’s release, Coen had worked as an EMT with the Guymon Fire Department for about 10 years and also responded to calls in nearby Hooker. He had been scheduled to work EMS coverage at the Pioneer Rodeo Days this weekend. Volunteer fire and EMS crews throughout Texas County regularly back each other up on calls and mutual-aid responses, per county listings for agencies that include Guymon, Goodwell and Texhoma, according to Texas County.
Investigation
Officials said the circumstances surrounding the fire remain under investigation, and no possible cause has been released. Investigators and local agencies have asked for privacy for Coen’s family while they work through the details of the case.
Authorities did not immediately provide additional information. This story will be updated if agencies release further details.
