The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) announced they are investigating two suspicious deaths after a house fire near Branson Road and Monks Drive in Poteau on Aug. 18. The LeFlore County Sheriff’s Office (LCSCO) requested that OSBI take over the investigation. The house fire was reported around 2 p.m. Monday, according to LCSO. The sheriff’s office said the first person to respond was an off-duty firefighter who arrived in his personal vehicle. OSBI said once the flames were extinguished, two people were found inside the home.
The firefighter, a responding deputy, and the Poteau Fire Department worked together to administer life-saving measures to the two people, but a woman died at the scene. From there, another man was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. OBSI identified the victims on Wednesday as 78-year-old Dennis Beeson and 76-year-old Bette Beeson. Their bodies have been sent to the medical examiner’s office to determine the cause and manner of death. A third person was outside of the house when authorities arrived, and was later transported to a hospital via helicopter, LCSO said. As of Tuesday morning, he was listed as stable.
OSBI, LeFlore County deputies, and the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal are continuing to investigate the incident.
