ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

An EMT is dead as the result of a fire in Goodwell, Okla, and arrests were made in connection with a fire last week in Guymon, Okla.

Guymon Fire Chief Grant Wadley said around 5:15 a.m. Friday, Goodwell, Guymon and Texhoma, Okla., firefighters responded to a 911 report of a house fire at 323 Aggie Ave. in Goodwell.

“First arriving units reported heavy fire and smoke conditions coming from the front door and windows,” he said. “Goodwell firefighters were able to enter through a bedroom window and rescue the single occupant of the home.”

Wadley said once rescued out of the fire, Guymon paramedics immediately started life-saving care and treatment before transporting the individual, 49-year-old Steven Coen of Goodwell, to Memorial Hospital of Texas County, Okla., where he was pronounced dead.

Wadley said Coen was a member of the Guymon Fire Department as an active EMT on the department’s EMS division.

“This is a huge loss for our department, community and area,” Wadley said. “Steven has been heavily involved in the EMS division for Guymon for the past 10 years and was even scheduled to work EMS detail during this weekend’s Pioneer Days Rodeo as a first responder. He also worked as an EMT in Hooker covering calls allowing their members time off as needed.”

Wadley said details of the fire are being investigated by the Oklahoma Fire Marshal Office, Oklahoma Medical, Goodwell Police Department and Goodwell Fire Department. Further information will be released in the following days.

That fire came after Guymon firefighters responded last Wednesday afternoon to a 911 report of a fire located in the 600 block of South Quinn Street.

“On the fire department’s arrival, an active grass fire that immediately threatening three occupied mobile homes was spreading and growing larger with the prevailing winds,” Wadley said. “Multiple fire units worked quickly to protect the homes and extinguish the fire.”

Wadley said as firefighters were extinguishing the fire, evidence of the fire being purposely set became obvious.

“Once we recognized signs this fire was set, the Guymon Fire Marshal’s office and Guymon police became involved,” he said.

Wadley said an investigation was started that led to the arrest of two juveniles who will be charged with second degree arson.

“With the dry conditions, high fire danger and multiple homes immediately threatened, this fire could have had the potential to destroy property and displace families,” he said.

Wadley said an acre or less between a common backyard and a wooden fence were burned. No injuries were reported.