Guymon firefighter dies in residential blaze

A firefighter and emergency medical technician from Guymon died after a house blaze in the Oklahoma Panhandle early Friday, a loss that local officials say will be deeply felt across the small communities he served. The man, identified by authorities as 49-year-old Steven Coen, was pulled from the burning home and later pronounced dead at a Guymon hospital.

Emergency crews from Goodwell, Guymon and Texhoma rushed to the residence on Aggie Avenue in Goodwell at about 5:15 a.m. on May 1, reporting heavy flames and smoke when they arrived. Firefighters forced entry through a bedroom window, located the sole occupant and moved him outside for medical care.

The victim received immediate life-saving treatment from on-scene medics and was transported to the hospital in Guymon, where he succumbed to his injuries. Authorities have not released a cause of the fire.

Local response and ongoing probe

Guymon Fire Chief Grant Wadley described the death as a profound blow to both the department and the surrounding communities, noting the man’s years of service on the department’s EMS team. The chief said colleagues and residents are grieving the loss of a longtime first responder.

Investigators from the Oklahoma Fire Marshal’s Office, the Goodwell Police Department and the Goodwell Fire Department are examining the scene to determine what started the blaze. Officials said they will release further information as findings become available.

Coen had spent roughly a decade working with the Guymon department’s EMS division and frequently assisted neighboring towns, including filling shifts in Hooker so local crews could take time off. He had also been scheduled to provide EMS coverage at the community’s Pioneer Days Rodeo later that weekend.

What we know so far

• When: About 5:15 a.m., May 1, 2026
• Where: Private residence on Aggie Avenue, Goodwell, Oklahoma (Oklahoma Panhandle)
• Victim: Steven Coen, 49, EMT with the Guymon Fire Department
• Responding agencies: Goodwell, Guymon and Texhoma fire departments; Goodwell Police; Oklahoma Fire Marshal’s Office
• Status: Coen was rescued from the home and taken to a hospital in Guymon, where he was later pronounced dead; cause under investigation

The death raises immediate operational questions for small, rural departments that rely on a handful of volunteers and part-time EMTs. Losing an experienced medic affects day-to-day coverage and emergency planning for local events and mutual-aid agreements with neighboring towns.

Community leaders and fellow first responders are expected to organize memorials and support for Coen’s family, colleagues said. The departments involved have asked residents to respect the ongoing investigation and await official updates.

Authorities reiterated that additional details will be provided when verified. For now, the focus remains on completing the fire investigation and supporting those affected by the loss of a longtime emergency worker.