Number Of Children Killed In Fires Approaching 2005 Mark

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Last year in Oklahoma 15 children younger than 16 died in house fires and a state fire official says that number could triple this year.<br/><br/>So far this year 12 children under

Friday, October 27th 2006, 8:56 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Last year in Oklahoma 15 children younger than 16 died in house fires and a state fire official says that number could triple this year.

So far this year 12 children under age 16 have died in house fires and the weather is now starting to cool -- leading to increased use of fireplaces and space heaters.

State Fire Marshal Robert Doke says the number of deadly fires will likely increase and he fears more children will die.

Officials say having a working smoke detector is critical. The latest data from the Oklahoma Child Death Review Board says there was no working smoke detector in 68 percent of homes where fires killed children.

Doke calls a $6 smoke detector a better investment than life insurance.