House fire kills eight as police investigate if devastating blaze was 'criminal'

An investigation has been launched after eight people died in a house fire.

Emergency services rushed to the scene of the blaze following reports at 4pm on Thursday. Police later confirmed eight bodies were found in the house..

Witnesses told officers a family of eight lived at the home, two adults and six children.

The identities of the deceased have not yet been identified but police have said they are investigating the incident as a murder-suicide.

Six children were found in one room at the rear of the house where the fire was contained.

Firearms were found in the house and police believe none of the victims died in the fire.

Police are treating the incident as a murder-suicide (Fox)

Broken Arrow Police Chief Brian Berryhill said in a conference today: "This is an extremely difficult time for our city and our responders.

"We pray that healing will follow this. And as we move this investigation it will continue to be a difficult time."

The children's ages range from one to 13.

When firefighters arrived smoke and fire coming from the rear of the structure.

Emergency services rushed to the scene to reports of a fire (Fox)

Two adults were immediately found at the front of the house dead. According to the local fire chief firefighters believed their injuries appeared "criminal in nature".

Although a full autopsies have not yet been conducted, the local fire chief said he did not believe the deaths were caused by the fire.

Initial homicide investigations are focused on the two adults.

Firefighters found the bodies and instantly alerted the police (Fox)

There had been no call outs to the residency that were "out of the ordinary"

Confirming a homicide investigation had been launched, a spokesperson for Broken Arrow Police Department said: "It is a complex scene given the state of the house due to the fire damage.

"This remains under investigation. We do not currently believe there is an immediate threat to the public."

Broken Arrow is usually a quiet town (2 News Oklahoma)

Broken Arrow mayor Debra Wimpee gave tribute to the victims saying: “Today we had a heartbreaking and tragic event take the lives of eight our residents in our community.

"On behalf of myself and the City Council, our thoughts and prayers are with remaining family members affected by this great loss, as well as, with our public safety crews that worked the scene.

"I also want to give my deepest thanks for the heroic efforts of our BA police and BA fire who were on this call today.”