Investigators still haven't determined deadly fire's cause

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Fire investigators still haven't determined what caused a blaze that killed six people, a spokesman said Thursday. <br/><br/>``They're still investigating,'' fire Maj.

Friday, October 15th 2004, 6:09 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Fire investigators still haven't determined what caused a blaze that killed six people, a spokesman said Thursday.

``They're still investigating,'' fire Maj. Brian Stanaland said.

Oliver ``Jack'' Somers-Wilder, 63, and Connie Somers-Wilder, 48, and their children, Daneel, 19; Leisylle, 17; and Aimy, 12, died along with neighbor Karla Hayes, 15.

All six were trapped inside the southeast-side home when it burned the morning of Sept. 26.

Heavy metal burglar bars, a front door blocked by the intense heat and smoke from the fire and moving boxes that blocked the doors of the garage prevented them from getting out, authorities said.

The fire caused about $65,000 in damage.

April Coberly, an 18-year-old neighbor, was questioned by investigators and took a polygraph Sept. 30. Her mother, Pat Coberly, said April Coberly was pressured to say she placed a burning Avon box containing dog feces on the Somers-Wilders' porch.

April Coberly hasn't been charged.

``I've seen them go awhile without being able to define it (the cause),'' Stanaland said. ``I don't see it as unusual at all. I think they just want to make sure they have everything covered, all the bases covered.''

Debbie Forshee, a spokeswoman for the Oklahoma County district attorney's office, said she has heard nothing definitive.