Tulsa Man Arrested For Starting House Fire Which Critically Injured Two Children

<p>Tulsa Police arrested a man on an arson complaint after a house fire sent several children to the hospital early Tuesday.</p>

Tuesday, September 16th 2014, 7:10 am

By: Dave Davis

Tulsa Man Arrested For Starting House Fire Which Critically Injured Two Children

Tulsa Police arrested a man on an arson complaint after a house fire sent three children to the hospital early Tuesday.

The mother's boyfriend, 35-year-old Steven Clement, was found at the scene of the fire and has been booked into the Tulsa County jail on a complaint of first-degree arson. An arrest report states he texted the children's mother as he burned down the house - sending messages including "house on fire," and "got insurance?"

Tulsa Fire Captain Stan May says firefighters got a call about smoke showing at a home at 28th and Pittsburg at about 1 a.m. When they arrived they found an 11-year-old girl lying on the porch and two children, a 9-year-old boy and a 19-year-old autistic teen standing in the yard.

Firefighters began an immediate search of the home and located a 5-year-old boy in a back bedroom. Firefighters got him out of the home through a window.

Police say the 5-year-old boy and 11-year-old girl are both in critical condition with smoke inhalation. The 9-year-old and teen were transported to the hospital, and their condition is not known.

9/16/2014 Related Story: Investigators: Two Children Critical After Tulsa Arsonist Sets House On Fire

Firefighters said the children's mother went to the hospital with the children.

Fire investigators said after interviewing Clement they believe the fire was started during a domestic incident at the home and escalated when he set the house on fire.

He reportedly called and texted the mother several times as she drove back to Tulsa from Kansas. Investigators say there is a "distinct time discrepancy" between the text to the mother and the call to 911 requiring help.

His final text stated, "will go to jail for life," the arresting officer said in his report.

Three counts of felony child abuse have been added to the first-degree arson complaint, police say. His total bond is now $170,000.