Midwest City Man Loses His Wife, Son, & Home To House Fire

A metro man is planning a funeral for his wife and child following a house fire in Midwest City on Thursday.

His family says they’re finding comfort in knowing mother and son are reunited.

Authorities say that following Thursday’s fire, Ricky Emholtz, 8, died while en route to the hospital. His mother, Sophia, died on Friday.

The two were found unconscious in their burning home, with Sophia shielding her child, family members shared.

“They were found in the hallway together,” said family member M'Lisa O'Brien.         

M'Lisa O'Brien believes her nephew and sister-in-law have reunited in eternity. “They were glued to the hip-- that was her little angel, her miracle baby,” said O’Brien.

8 years ago, O'Brien says her brother Richard and his wife Sophia, a cancer survivor, were blessed with a child.

“She was not supposed to have children of her own,” said O’Brien.

The couple was overjoyed with the possibility of parenthood. “So when she found out she was pregnant with Ricky it was the best thing that ever happened to her and my brother both,” said O’Brien.

Battling health issues M'Lisa says her sister-law stayed at home, caring for her husband and their little boy.

“She was a mommy to everyone [...] that was her role to be a mommy,” said O’Brien.

Thursday morning, Richard kissed his family goodbye and headed off to work. Shortly thereafter firefighters swarmed his home which was ravaged by fire. 

“He said there was a fire and Ricky’s dead, my boy is gone, and Sophia is probably not going to make it either,” said O’Brien.

Unconscious, Sophia never woke up. “We think that she knew and that he was calling her home,” said O’Brien.

O’Brien says her brother's life was turned upside down.“There was one point he looked at me and said what is the point of anything anymore. Everything he cared about is gone,” said O’Brien.

But despite the loss, she says her family remains focused. “Help my brother give Sophia and Ricky the best memorial they deserve," said O’Brien.

Choosing to celebrate their lives. “Sophia loved to dance, and Ricky loved to dance. They were such big personalities and they're back together again, dancing in heaven,” said O’Brien.

According to family members, fire investigators returned to the home Monday. The cause remains under investigation.

In addition to preparing for two funerals the family's home was not insured.

If you'd like to help, visit this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/q9mrn-help-rebuild-after-tragic-house-fire