Eight family members died in a house fire in Oklahoma on Oct.27 and police are now investigating the incident as a possible homicide, officials have confirmed.
The blaze was first reported at around 4 p.m. in a quiet residential area of Broken Arrow, a city in the northeastern part of Oklahoma and the largest suburb of Tulsa.
Police spokesman Ethan Hutchin said that witnesses informed officials that a family of eight had lived in the house, including two adults and six children.
The bodies have not yet been positively identified due to the damage the blaze caused to the property, which has made it difficult for officials to confirm those killed.
“There’s still a lot to be investigated as far as those identities,” Hutchins said Thursday.
“This remains under investigation,” BAPD said. Police do not believe there is an immediate threat to the public.
‘We Will Mourn Together’
Broken Arrow is a city of about 116,000, and officials called the incident a tragedy of great magnitude.“Broken Arrow stands together,” BAPD Chief Brandon Berryhill said in a separate statement on Thursday.“We will mourn together, and in the end, we will heal together. Please pray for those who have lost their lives, and for our first responders who are dealing with a tragedy of this magnitude. My staff and I, as well as the Fire Chief and his staff, will have more information tomorrow.”
Another witness driving past the scene, Catelin Powers, recalled seeing thick smoke spewing from the home which is located near her own residence. Powers told The Associated Press that she saw a woman who was apparently unconscious and unresponsive being carried out of the home.
