Poteau Police Department says 73-year-old man's remains found in rubble of apartment damaged by fire

Authorities are investigating a deadly fire that occurred early the morning of June 27 at an apartment complex in the 200 block of West Michelle Lane.

Emergency crews from the Poteau Police Department and Poteau Fire Department were dispatched to the scene at approximately 3:37 a.m., where they worked to evacuate residents and extinguish the blaze.

Later that day, family members reported 73-year-old Marvin Frank Powell--an occupant of the affected building--missing. According to police, Powell’s vehicle was found at a separate apartment complex, but there was no sign of Powell himself.

 In response, officers initiated a missing persons investigation and issued a Silver Alert after determining the case met state criteria.

During a subsequent inspection of the fire-damaged unit, firefighters discovered human remains in Powell’s apartment. Officials say the remains were not found during the initial response due to extensive fire damage and their positioning within the structure.

Investigators from multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Poteau Police Department, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Preliminary findings show no evidence of arson or foul play. The Silver Alert remains in effect pending confirmation of the identity of the remains by the Chief Medical Examiner.

Authorities have since clarified the circumstances surrounding Powell’s vehicle being located at a different site.

This case remains under investigation.