Child Dies In House Fire Near Catoosa

The Catoosa Fire Department says a young girl died in a house fire in rural Rogers County early Friday. 

Firefighters got the call about a fire with rescue at a home in the 29500 block of South Oak Road at about 12:30 a.m. When they arrived they encountered heavy smoke and flames.

Catoosa Fire Chief Denus Benton said the mother had escaped and a neighbor had rescued another girl, but said there was still a child trapped in an upstairs room. Benton says the mom and daughter were taken to a hospital. There is no word on their conditions.

Because of the heat and smoke, firefighters said they had trouble getting inside the home, but when they did get inside, they found the girl dead in her bed.  

"You know when something happens like that its really hard on the firefighters, and of course the neighbors and everyone else here on the block. This is a tragedy that the family is going to have for a long time," said Fire Chief Denus Benton. 

He said it appears the fire started in the middle of the home, but a state fire marshal is investigating.

Benton says his department asked for and got assistance from the Oak Grove, Rolling Hills and Verdigris Fire Departments because of the lack of fire hydrants in the rural neighborhood.. 

The home is considered a total loss. The names of the victims have not been released.