Two girls die in Moore house fire

Friday, August 19th 2005, 5:21 pm

By: News On 6

MOORE, Okla. (AP) -- Fire investigators believe one of two Texas girls who died in an early morning fire during a visit to their father's and stepmother's house may have started the blaze.

12-year-old Aysha Tawfiq and 8-year-old Zara Tawfiq were found in a bedroom of the home by firefighters about 5:30 Friday morning. They were pronounced dead at an area hospital.

The state Medical Examiner's office ruled that the Clarksville, Texas, girls suffered smoke inhalation.

Deputy Fire Chief Gary Bird says the family told firefighters there was a small fire in the front part of the house on Thursday night. Bird says one of the girls may have started both fires.

Their brother, Radi, sustained some minor cuts when he escaped the fire through a window.

Bird says the cause of the fire hasn't been determined, but he says investigators have ruled out "all accidental causes."