Funerals Held Thursday for 4 Victims of Weleetka Fire

Staff and Wire Report

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Four of the six victims in the Monday, August 16, 2010 deadly house fire in Weleetka were remembered Thursday morning. Funeral services for Renee Buck, Latoya Bush, Tristen and Kursten Pelegrin were held in Okmulgee.

The service began at 10:30 a.m. at the Crosstown Pentecostal Church in Okmulgee. All four victims were buried at the First Indian Baptist Church Cemetery in Okmulgee.

Funeral arrangements are still pending for James and Barbara Southern. There are plans being made for a community-wide prayer service in Weleetka on September 12.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office has ruled that the six people killed in a house fire in Weleetka died of smoke inhalation.

Spokeswoman Cherokee Ballard said Wednesday that the deaths of each of the six has been ruled accidental.

Killed in the Monday morning fire were 2-year-old Barbara Southern; her 3-year-old brother James; 46-year-old Renee Buck; 34-year-old Latoya Bush and her children, 9-year old Kurstyn Pelegrin and 11-year-old Triston Pelegrin.

Only 8-year-old Tavis Southern escaped the burning home. The boy said a smoke alarm awoke him.

Investigators said they believe the fire started in the living room and may have been an electrical fire. However, no exact cause has been released.

Buck was babysitting 8-year-old Tavis Southern, along with his brother James and sister Barbara, when the fire broke out. Tavis managed to escape the burning house and call for help.

The Assistant State Fire Marshal said two escape routes in the home were blocked, leaving the victims with no way out but through the flames. Three victims were found in a bedroom where the window was boarded up. A second possible route was a back door but it was also blocked. Three other victims were found in another bedroom, but officials didn't know if that was window was blocked.

Tavis' mother, Crystal Kelough is five months pregnant. She was working an overnight shift at a nursing home when the fire broke out as the others slept.

Counselors and ministers have been speaking with students as the community begins to heal. Schools in town have lowered their flags

Memorial funds have been set up for the families of the victims:

Renee Buck Memorial Fund
Citizens Security Bank & Trust
P.O. Box 248
Weleetka, Oklahoma 74880
405-786-2447

Latoya Bush & Children Memorial Fund
Citizens Security Bank & Trust
P.O. Box 248
Weleetka, Oklahoma 74880
405-786-2447

James and Barbara Southern Memorial Fund
Citizens Security Bank & Trust
P.O. Box 248
Weleetka, Oklahoma 74880
405-786-2447

More:

• 2 Adults, 4 Children Killed in Weleetka House Fire