Father, 2 Daughters Killed in Oklahoma City Fire

Staff and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A man and his two daughters have been killed in a southeast Oklahoma City house fire.

Neighbors were able to pull young mother Angela Knight from her burning home. But despite their efforts they couldn't reach her husband, or her two daughters.

Jose Rodriquez is left with those haunting sounds and what very well may be bruised ribs - after he and his father-in-law risked their lives to save others.

"My first instinct was to get the family out," Rodriquez said. "My father-in-law was trying to kick the door in. He couldn't do it, so I told him to get out of the way and let me do it. I hit it with my shoulder and broke the door in."

Angela is listed as in guarded condition, which means she is just being watched.

Deputy Fire Chief Cecil Clay said firefighters were called about 2:40 a.m. Friday and found the home engulfed in flames when they arrived.

Clay said firefighters were able to pull the two girls from the burning home but were unable to revive them. The man's body wasn't recovered until the fire was put out.

"We had to fight our way into the fire and in a defensive mode," Clay said. "They went into it and did a quick entry and a quick search. Other crews were able to keep the fire off them. It's a very dangerous technique."

Oklahoma City police Master Sgt. Gary Knight identified the father as 29-year-old John Anthony Hazel. The daughters were identified as 12-year-old Tyler Brown and 7-year-old Paris Hazel.

A firefighter suffered back spasms and was treated and released at a hospital.

The cause of the fire has not been determined but Clay said it appears to have started in the rear of the house.