Police Investigate Deadly House Fire Near Country Club

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY - Police and firefighters are investigating a deadly house fire in northwest Oklahoma City.

Firefighters were called to the home in the 6000 block of Colony Lane before 2 a.m. Wednesday.

Firefighters say the fire appeared to have started in a car outside the home and spread to the house.

After putting out the fire, firefighters found a body in the car. Neighbors said the victim is Tony Viele.

He owns an oil and gas company called Northport Production Company and was very involved in the petroleum industry. Neighbors said Viele was leasing the home and court records show he was going through a divorce. 

Former Oklahoma City Mayor Andy Coats lives in the neighborhood near the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club and was awakened by the fire.

"I thought it was daylight because I looked out the window and it was very bright, and I could see car was burning like a torch," he said.

The fire is being investigated by police because a death was involved.