Two People Killed in Overnight House Fire

ATLANTA - Arson investigators with the ATF and the Atlanta Fire Department teamed up with APD Homicide Detectives to find the cause of a suspicious fire in the Vine City Community. Investigators describe the fire as suspicious, but have not shared any further details about reports of suspicious activity before the fire.

The blaze broke out at the corner of Jett Street and Griffin Street just after midnight on October 11th. Arriving firefighters found heavy flames coming from the front of the home. Sgt Cortez Stafford of the Atlanta Fire Department  said the intense heat and flames stopped firefighters from immediately entering the home. Sgt. Stafford said firefighters attacked the blaze from the rear, but by the time they reached the front bedroom where the victims were located, they had already succumbed to the smoke and heavy flames. Loved ones were critical of the response time. Firefighters said they arrived in four minutes after the 911 call.

The names of the deceased haven't been released, but family members told FOX 5 News the couple just moved in a few months ago. Neighbors were reluctant to describe what was happening before the fire erupted, but most are convinced the fire was intentionally set.

"This was just a senseless act of hate and now two lives are gone. Whoever did this just needs to turn themselves in because they shouldn't be walking around in the streets," Donna Greene said.

A woman who describes herself as the niece of the man who died said she's certain the fire was the work of arsonists.

"God sees everything and God will deal with the people who did this. They know who they are. This is just malicious and there are no words for what they've done to this family," said the woman who asked not to be identified.