Girlfriend Arrested For Murder, Arson After Man's Body Found On Fire

A man is dead after a fire at an abandoned apartment. It happened at about 4:30 a.m. Sunday at 63rd Street and Peoria Avenue.

When firefighters arrived, they discovered the man's body, which was on fire, documents say.

Tulsa Fire Department Capt. Stan May said the building was a small fourplex that had been boarded up by the City of Tulsa.

"Some people had broken in and were residing in there illegally," May said. 

Three other people, including two children, lived at the abandoned apartment and were using kerosene lanterns, according to a district chief at the scene. Only the man was present at the time of the fire.

Neighbors reported hearing an argument in the apartment prior to the fire, according to an arrest report.

After investigation, the victim's girlfriend, Doreatha Poland, was arrested for first-degree murder and arson.

Detectives found Poland walking along South Peoria Avenue and interviewed her. She reportedly told police that she was at her mother's apartment at Fairmont Terrace at the time of the fire. When detectives talked with family members, they learned Poland left Fairmont Terrace between one and two hours before the fire.

She later admitted to police she went to her boyfriend's apartment to talk to him.