2 Killed In McAlester House Fire, Investigation Ongoing

Two people are dead after a house fire in McAlester early Tuesday morning.

The flames are long-gone but the signs of a serious fire - the broken windows, the burnt siding - are all still clearly visible. Investigators are still working to find out what exactly happened.

David Henderson lives directly across the street from the house that caught fire early Tuesday morning. He recorded video of firemen trying to fight back the flames.

"We heard a loud bang, went outside, and there was flames everywhere," Henderson said. "Just engulfing, rolling flames and all that."

McAlester Fire Chief Brett Brewer said by the time crews got to the home on north Lost Street, the flames had already burst through the rooftop.

"When firefighters arrived on the scene, the fire had actually vented through the windows and part of the roof," Brewer said.

Henderson said several people who were in the home made it out OK, but Chief Brewer said two people were killed inside. The medical examiner is still working to positively identify them.

Henderson said the fire was mostly in the back of the home. He said he heard what sounded like a large explosion, followed by what he believes was ammunition cooking off in the extreme heat.

"We look outside and there's black smoke coming, rolling, and then you hear the ammo, just pop pop pop going off," Henderson said.

None of the neighboring homes were damaged.