HOUSTON – A Houston husband and wife who were both 70 years old tragically died in a house fire in northeast Houston.
Relatives identified the couple as Virginia and Benjamin Cooks.
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They were both 70 years old and had been married for more than 40 years with four children.
“She was fun to be around. She loved to sing, she loved church, as well as my uncle, he was a good guy, he liked to laugh,” said Reginald Walker. “They were pillars of the family and we just got to come together.”
Family members said the couple had lost power at the time of the fire and they may have been using the stove to heat their home.
“They were the old-school so when power go out and they want to keep warm. They light the stove,” said Walker.
When the Houston fire department arrived to their single-family home in the 6800 block of Peyton Street, they said the home was engulfed in flames.
Nathan McAdams, the couple’s son who also lives in the house but was not present at the time of the fire, said he received a call that the home was on fire. Once he arrived, he said he discovered the fire department, police and EMT on the scene.
McAdams said his neighbors said they attempted to break down the door to rescue his parents. But, there was a burst of flames when they kicked down the door and attempted to gain entry into the home.
The couple was initially transported to the hospital in unknown condition, officials said.
Mc Adams said at that time “I am hoping for the best, that my mom and dad come out alright. I saw them in the ambulance but I don’t know the outcome yet. I am just praying that everything is alright.”
Unfortunately the couple did not survive their injuries.
The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation.