Two confirmed dead from NW OKC apartment fire

Last Updated on October 23, 2023, 11:02 AM | Published: October 23, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY — Two persons pulled from a NW Oklahoma City apartment fire Friday night died at the hospital Saturday according to OKC Fire officials.

The fire was in a building on the far north end of a large complex near NW 122 and Pennsylvania that is now named “Penn Station Apartment Homes.” It was previously named “Heritage Park Apartments” for many years.

Police investigation

The unit that burned is listed in the 12200 block of Heritage Park Road.

Now, the Oklahoma City Police Department is looking into the deaths to determine if they will investigate them as “criminal in nature” according to OKCPD Sgt. Dillon Quirk.

Quirk added that it will take time for a report to be returned from the State Medical Examiner’s office and that their department may wait until then to make a decision about a criminal investigation.

The two victims’ names have not been released by publication.

The Fire Department is not releasing any more information about the two who died.

“Everything comes from PD at this point, because anytime there’s a death they have to try to rule out homicide” Maj. Scott Douglass, Oklahoma City Fire Department Public Information Officer told Free Press.

Fire Department investigation

The OKCFD investigation of the fire is underway but hasn’t had enough time to be completed.

What we know so far about the fire from Douglass is that:

• A two-alarm response was started at first.
• Flames were already coming through the roof of the apartment unit when their first fire crews arrived.
• Then, a third alarm was called for to provide additional staffing to help with evacuations and rescue.
• Firefighters used ground ladders to get into one part of the two-story building.
• They located two adult victims and pulled them from the building as it was burning.
• The two were treated at the scene and then transported to the hospital “in critical condition.”
• Fire crews were able to get the flames under control and contain the fire to the one building that contained 16 apartments that are now unlivable.
• The OKCFD Community Service Liason began work that night with the American Red Cross to find places for the displaced tenants to stay.
• Only one firefighter sustained minor injuries but “is expected to be okay,” according to fire officials.

Free Press will continue monitoring the two investigations and give updates as new, reliable information is released.

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