posted 10-22-2004 08:31 PM                 

quote: Bobby Henderson

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And the house burned down.

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posted 10-23-2004 11:20 AM                    

quote:

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By Debi DeSilver Terry, Staff writer
dterry@lawton-constitution.com

A death is being investigated as suspicious after firefighters discovered a body at a burning home in northwest Lawton Friday.

A revolver was found near the body, confirmed Lawton Police Department Capt. W.H. Mathis, commander, Criminal Investigations Division. However, Mathis would not confirm or deny that any shell casings were found.

"We are still treating this as a suspicious death," Mathis said. "We are waiting for the fire department to determine the cause of the fire." The body, identified as Charles A. Gilley Jr., 47, has been sent to the medical examiner's office in Oklahoma City, Mathis said.

City of Lawton Fire Marshal Mark Mitchell said the fire agency is working in conjunction with the police department to try and put the pieces together on what happened.

"When our guys made entry through the front door, a victim was discovered in the living room area. The officer in charge cautioned his people that this may be a possible crime scene. They checked for signs of life and didn't find any. It did not appear that the victim expired as the result of the fire. Our men tried to protect that area while extinguishing the fire," Mitchell said.

The Lawton Fire Department dispatch received the call to respond to 1911 NW Glenn at 12:37 p.m., according to records. LPD Lt. Rusty Wright said the fire was called in by a neighbor down the street.

Wright said that the cause of the fire and death are still under investigation.

"It's such a mess in there," Mitchell said. "We are working in an area right now that is about to collapse. We're not sure exactly where the fire started. We are looking at a northwest corner. That area is a possibility, but it is unsound. I really don't know if we are going to be able to call it or not. There is a considerable amount of material stored in there."

Mitchell said three engine trucks, a ladder truck, a brush truck, a rescue truck and a deputy fire chief all initially responded to the blaze.

"Our guys made a good effort; a good save. They were hampered by the fact that this is an older home. Hopefully what we find out from our investigation will help the police department form a theory or hypothesis on if this was intentional, accidental or foul play," Mitchell said.

One of the fire trucks responding to the fire on Glenn crashed into a city pole at the intersection of Fort Sill Boulevard and Ferris Avenue, said LPD Capt. Angie Chiarappa. She said she believed that the wet conditions contributed to the accident.

One firefighter was taken to the hospital, treated for a lower back injury and released, said LFD Capt. Lonnie London. He said the firefighter has already returned to work.

"We couldn't turn," London said, who was the officer on the truck. "The wet road conditions definitely were a factor."

Lawton Constitution reporter Kevin J. Shutt contributed to this article.

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posted 10-24-2004 03:39 AM                       

quote: Bobby Henderson

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Yes, this happened when the truck was trying to make it to a house fire. And the house burned down. I think some other fire trucks got to scene in time to roast some marshmallows over the smoldering embers.

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