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Man Questioned in Spiro House Fire

LeFlore County deputies are questioning a man who was found unconscious, along with his common-law wife outside their burning home Monday (Jan. 21). Both are at...

LeFlore County deputies are questioning a man who was found unconscious, along with his common-law wife outside their burning home Monday (Jan. 21). Both are at a Tulsa hospital.

Ellec Cusick, 39, suffered smoke inhalation in the fire, according to authorities. As of Thursday, he was off a ventilator and coherent, Undersheriff Kendall Morgan said.

“He is being questioned about what went on,” said Morgan.

Myrtle Cooper, 47, remains in critical but stable condition with lacerations, skull fractures and third degree burns, Morgan said. “She was burned on the front of her body, I believe over 50-percent of her body,” said Morgan.

Investigators say Cooper was also stabbed multiple times.

“We really don't know what all took place,” said Morgan.

Crews responded to the house fire on Stewart Loop at about 8:30 p.m., Jan. 21. Cusick and Cooper were found unconscious in the front yard. A neighbor says Cooper was naked.

Detectives traveled to Tulsa Thursday to interview Cusick. Deputies are treating the incident as domestic abuse case, Sheriff Rob Seale said.

Cusick has an outstanding warrant on a domestic assault charge in Iowa, according to court documents. Records show police arrested Cusick in 2009 for disorderly conduct, failure to obey a police officer, and transporting an open container.

The sheriff’s department says no charges have been filed.

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