Okla. Elderly Couple, Child Killed in House Fire

Jan. 20--An elderly LeFlore County couple and a child were killed in a Saturday morning house fire.

Paul and Levunia Helton, both 73 years old, and a child believed to be their 3-year-old great-grandson were all killed in a house fire on Latham Road, west of Shady Point, Saturday morning, according to LeFlore County Sheriff Rob Seale.

"It's a tragic thing," Seale said. "We feel for the family; our sympathies go out to them."

Seale said he cannot yet reveal the name of the child.

"We're still attempting to notify the child's mother, who is in (Department of Corrections) custody right now," Seale said.

A person believed to be a neighbor of the Heltons contacted authorities at approximately 9:45 a.m. Saturday and reported seeing smoke. Fire crews arrived at the scene at around 10 a.m. and found the Heltons' home engulfed in flames, according to Seale.

As firefighters fought the blaze, relatives of the Heltons told authorities that the residence was occupied by the couple and their great-grandson, Seale said.

"When the fire was put out, we discovered the bodies of an elderly male, an elderly female and a child," he said.

Seale said the fire is believed to have been caused by a propane heating system inside the home.

Firefighters were at the scene from around 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Shady Point Fire Department, Latham-Dog Creek Fire Department, Poteau Fire Department and Panama Fire Department collaborated in fighting the fire.

The bodies of the victims were sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Tulsa.

"It doesn't make any difference how long you've been in the business of law enforcement, this is something you never get used to, especially when young children are involved," Seale said.

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