Two Die In Mayes County House Fire

Investigators are closer to finding a cause of a fire that killed two people in Mayes County over the weekend. <br/><br/>News on 6 anchor Craig Day went to Locust Grove and says for Kathy Simpson, it's

Monday, January 8th 2007, 10:18 am

By: News On 6

Investigators are closer to finding a cause of a fire that killed two people in Mayes County over the weekend.

News on 6 anchor Craig Day went to Locust Grove and says for Kathy Simpson, it's the little things she'll miss about her neighbors of 20 years.

Their smiles, their presence, just seeing them every day. Neighbor Kathy Simpson: "We were more than just neighbors, we were friends. You depend on your neighbor for everything I guess." Her neighbors, in their mid 60's, were killed in a weekend house fire. The flames started in the living room of the home and quickly spread. "There were flames shooting probably 50 feet in the air, all over the roof."

The victim's names aren't being released publicly until the state Medical Examiner's office officially determines their identity and until family members are located and notified.

Investigators with the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal's office say the fire is not suspicious. An exact cause hasn't been determined, but investigators believe it could have been started by space heaters in the home. The couple was often see walking here hand in hand on this road in front of their rural home.

Neighbors say that's one of the memories they'll have of those fire victims. They say they were a kind and generous couple. Friends and neighbors who will be missed, by many still are having a hard time believing they're gone. Friend Ilene Miller: "How sweet they were. And they were really loving to each other. You know." Kathy Simpson: "They were two of the kindest people that I believe I've ever met. Never had a bad word for anybody."

Investigators say there were eight dogs inside the home, and one of those pets may have knocked over a heater, or got a flammable object too close. Those pets also died.

Firefighters urge all of us to be cautious with heaters during cold weather and to make sure we have working smoke alarms.