Three Children Die In LeFlore County House Fire

POTEAU, Okla. (AP) -- A fire that may have been caused by lightning swept through a home Friday, killing three children and critically injuring their mother, firefighters said.<br/><br/>The fire occurred

Friday, June 23rd 2006, 11:53 am

By: News On 6

POTEAU, Okla. (AP) -- A fire that may have been caused by lightning swept through a home Friday, killing three children and critically injuring their mother, firefighters said.

The fire occurred about 1:30 AM right after a violent thunderstorm rattled the area.

"The house was a total burndown," said Ed Chapel, a spokesman for the State Fire Marshal's office. "From what the witnesses say, it looks like the lightning may have hit it pretty hard."

The house was in the small town of Panama in LeFlore County.

The children who died were Raven Byrd, 2; Hunter Carpenter, 9; and Skyla Carpenter, 14. Their mother, Rita Carpenter, suffered burns on her arms and hands, Chapel said.

The woman was rushed to St. Edwards Hospital in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, where she remained in critical condition late Friday afternoon.