Elderly couple killed in Santa Monica house fire; cause of blaze under investigation

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) -- Two people were found dead inside a Santa Monica home Sunday morning after firefighters extinguished a dramatic fire at the house, officials said.

The fire was reported shortly before 3 a.m. in the 500 block of Lincoln Boulevard, according to the Santa Monica Fire Department. Neighbors reportedly called 911 after they noticed an orange glow coming from the home.

Firefighters arrived to find heavy flames engulfing all sides of the home, and a car parked in the driveway indicated that residents were possibly inside.

Two people were found during a search and were pronounced dead at the scene.

"Crews did pull both victims out, almost simultaneously. We were able to provide advanced life safety support, or ALS support, to them. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in reviving those patients, and they had deceased," said Batt. Chief James Altman. "We have investigators on scene right now, along with our Santa Monica Police Department, that are coming out to investigate the fire a little bit further."

Neighbors said the two people who died were an elderly couple, adding that the victims had a caretaker, who was not inside the house during the fire. The couple's names were not immediately confirmed.

An Eyewitness News crew spoke with family members who arrived at the home. They were sifting through the damage, and said this is a very difficult time for them.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.