Oklahoma Boy, 13, Dies Trying To Save Paralyzed Father From Fire

LOVE COUNTY, OK — A 13-year-old boy died Wednesday when he tried to rescue his paralyzed father after their mobile home erupted in flames Wednesday early morning. The boy’s father, 60, also died in the heroic rescue attempt, but a 17-year-old girl in the home at the time was able to escape.

The two perished as the boy struggled to get his father in a wheelchair, according to media reports. Responding deputies were unable to enter the home due to flames and debris. The victims' names have not been released.

Fire officials said the fire, which broke out about 1:30 a.m., may have been caused by a space heater, which the family was using to warm the mobile home in below-freezing temperatures. The 13-year-old boy and 17-year-old girl were sleeping near the space heater in the living room. Love County Sheriff Marty Grisham said the tragedy is a deadly reminder of the importance of keeping flammable objects clear of space heaters.

About 30 volunteer firefighters from 12 agencies fought the deadly fire, battling temperatures in the teens that caused icicles to form on their helmets. Water used to fight the fire turned the area around the home into an ice skating rink.

The Love County Fire Department wrote on its Facebook page of “a heartbreaking situation” and shared a post from Greenville Public Schools seeking donations for the family. An account has also been established at the school, according to the post.

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