14-Year-Old Found Dead After Fire At Guthrie Apartment Complex

A 14-year-old was found dead after an apartment fire in Guthrie overnight.

Officials arrived at the Woodpark Apartments near east College Avenue and northeast Ridge Drive around 10:53 p.m. Monday.

Firefighters on scene were advised people were possibly trapped inside a 2nd story unit. Fire crews made entry into the building as a rescue attempt, but were forced back out due to the extreme fire.

Crews assisted a 40-year-old female and an 18-year-old female from the 2nd story window. 

Fire crews said the entire front end and front porch was fully involved. There was no access from the stairs on the front side, officials said. 

A Guthrie police officer arrived first on scene and was able to go door-to-door and wake residents. 

"THERE WAS A gUTHRIE POLICE OFFICER THAT DID A FINE JOB, EVACUATING ALL THOSE THAT HE COULD. HE WENT TO EVERYBODY'S DOOR AND WOKE THEM UP AND GOT THEM OUT AS BEST HE COULD," said Guthrie Fire Department Battalion Chief Erin Jones.

Jones said firefighters experienced some water issues. 

"THE FIRe HYDRANT RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET WAS A DEAD PLUG WITH NO WATER, THE OTHER WASN'T COMING OUT REAL STRONG. WE DID FIGHT THAT. WE HAD A LADDER TRUCK COME, WITH THE POWER LINES AND TREES IN THE WAY IT WAS MORE OF AN OBSTRUCTION. WE DID HAVE THE SOONER FIRE DEPT RESPONd, AND OFF DUTY PERSONNEL COME IN AS WELL," said Jones. 

Fire crews were able to get the fire under control around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday. 

The body of 14-year-old Saul Bernal was located at approximately 1:30 a.m. in his family's 2nd floor apartment.

Saul was an 8^th grade student at Guthrie Junior High School. Guthrie Public Schools is making grief counselors available to students and staff for as long as they are needed.

All eight apartments are a complete loss. 

Red Cross arrived on scene to assist victims. 

An estimated 12-15 people are currently displaced.