By James Tyree and Jane Glenn Cannon
The Oklahoman
NORMAN, Okla. — A young pregnant woman broke through a window to escape a burning house and banged on a neighbor’s door early Tuesday, but could only point to the raging fire she had just escaped.
Suffering from smoke inhalation, Amber Larkins, 22, later underwent a successful cesarean section delivery at Norman Regional Hospital, just hours after two children lost their lives in the blaze.
The fire began about 4:20 a.m. in a wood-frame house at 905 N Cockrel Ave., Norman firefighters said.
Savvy Larkins, 2, died in the fire and her father, Daniel Larkins, 19, was being treated for smoke inhalation in the intensive care unit at Integris Baptist Medical Center.
Michael Larkins, 7, also died in the fire. He was spending the night at the home of his aunt, Oley Mae Thornton, who was delivering newspapers at the time of the fire. Thornton lost a grandchild, Savry, but gained a grandchild with the birth of Amber Larkins’ baby.
Also being treated for smoke inhalation at Integris was Amber Larkins, while Kelly Larkins, 46, was in the burn unit with second-degree burns on 10 percent of his body, Integris spokeswoman Brooke Cayot said.
The neighbor, Jim Larkins, a relative, said Amber Larkins’ baby was doing fine.
“Amber banged on my door and all she could manage to do was point, but I could see what was going on,” Jim Larkins said. “I tried to get to the back of the house, but the fire was too dangerous.”
Jim Larkins said he heard the fire started in the middle of the house but knew no other details. Norman fire marshals were still investigating Tuesday afternoon.
A neighbor, Kristine Butler, said the fire awakened her.
“I saw them pull the bodies out. Thank goodness my kids didn’t. It was awful,” Butler said.
Another neighbor, Stephen Swim, said the tragedy “breaks my heart.”
Swim said he woke up to the sound of a dog barking and could see light through a window shade. When he looked out, he could see the house on fire, he said.
The fire caused an estimated $125,000 worth of damage to the house and its contents.
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