Fire kills elderly Gladstone couple

GLADSTONE, Mo. (AP) -- A fire that killed an elderly couple in their suburban Kansas City home of 50 years was accidental, authorities said Friday.

The fire started in the bathroom where the space heater ignited some nearby combustibles, said Gladstone Public Safety spokesman Richard King.

Gerold Houghton, 85, and Deana Houghton, 77, were found in the living room of the house after units arrived at around 3 p.m. Thursday. Gerold Houghton tried to fight the fire, King said, noting he was found in the living room with a fire extinguisher in his hands.

Houghton apparently tried to escape with his wife because the front door was found open, but he was overcome, King said.

The Houghtons are believed to have died of smoke inhalation.

King said the home's poor ventilation allowed the fire to burn for a long time before a neighbor noticed smoke wafting through the roof. The fire consumed much of the oxygen inside, King said.

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Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com