Body of day care teacher found in burning residence

ARDMORE, Okla. (AP) The body of a day care teacher who died in a fire early Thursday has been sent the state medical examiner's office for an autopsy, authorities said. <br/><br/>Firefighters responding

Friday, May 6th 2005, 6:39 am

By: News On 6

ARDMORE, Okla. (AP) The body of a day care teacher who died in a fire early Thursday has been sent the state medical examiner's office for an autopsy, authorities said.

Firefighters responding to a reported structure blaze about 1 a.m. found Sunday Withrow, 34, on a bed inside a northwest-side apartment, officials said. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Fire Capt. Darin Butler said it appeared Withrow died from smoke inhalation. There was a smoke detector in the residence, but it was inoperable, Butler said.

Police Capt. Leroy Johnson said investigators established that Withrow was alone in the apartment.

``Right now we are listing both the woman's death and the cause of the fire as unknown,'' Johnson said.

Evidence taken from the residence was sent to an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation laboratory.

Officials hoped to have a preliminary report from the medical examiner's office by Friday.

``However, it will be four to six weeks before we have the final report that will include the toxicology report. It will also be four to six weeks before we get the results back from the OSBI lab,'' Johnson said.