FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The bodies of two people were discovered after firefighters put out the flames of a house fire Thursday morning in Fort Lauderdale.
Fort Lauderdale police Detective Keven Dupree said a husband and wife lived at the home. He said detectives believe that the man killed his wife, set their home on fire and then committed suicide.
Firefighters were called to the house on Southwest 22nd Street about 1:20 a.m.
When firefighters arrived, they found flames shooting through the roof.
"Upon arrival, the crews found the house was fully engulfed," fire marshal Jeff Lucas said. "(We) went in (and) pulled two victims out. The victims were both deceased."
The bodies were recovered after the fire was extinguished. Their identities haven't been released, but neighbors said they were a couple in their 60s.
One neighbor, Jeffrey Hald, told Local 10 News reporter Sanela Sabovic that he heard at least three gunshots before the house went up in flames.
A close friend and co-worker of one of the victim said he tried to contact the man when he didn't hear from him.
"I texted him. I didn't hear from him, and I started work at 9 (a.m.), and when I turned around the corner, I saw all of this," Steve Meyer said. "(I'm) sad (and) in disbelief. I'm just in shock."
A dog was also found in the backyard of the home. The dog was not hurt and is being cared for by a neighbor.
A motive for the murder-suicide was not immediately released, but neighbors said the wife recently filed for divorce.