4 officers fired after inmate dies of smoke inhalation at Oklahoma prison

TULSA (AP) -- Records show that an inmate who died of smoke inhalation after setting a fire in his cell at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary was left alone for more than an hour after officers first noticed the smoke.

Documents show that Julius Parker set fire to his mattress at about 1:30 p.m. July 28. The records show that Parker remained alone in his cell until emergency responders entered at about 2:45 p.m. and tried to revive him.

Parker was pronounced dead at a McAlester hospital.

Department of Corrections spokesman Jerry Massie confirms at least four correctional officers at the maximum-security prison have been fired.

Massie says officers noticed the smoke in Parker's cell but "did not recognize the magnitude of the situation."