Two people were killed in an early-morning fire in Onset Tuesday.
NewsCenter 5's Shiba Russell reported that the fire broke out early Tuesday morning at 28 Cohasset Road. Officials said the victims, a couple in their 60s, had lived in the house for many years.
Neighbors called 911 after hearing screams. Firefighters who lived nearby tried unsuccessfully to get into the house. Officials said a bed blocking the front door prevented fire crews from immediately gaining entry.
"It appeared that there was a bed blocking the doorway and that doorway must have led into the bedroom or what was being used a as a bedroom," Onset Fire Chief Howard Andersen said.
Clarence Moos, 69, was found on the floor of the living room. His wife, Evelyn, 68, was found on the couch. Officials said the house did not appear to have working smoke detectors.
Officials think the fire started in the rear of the one-story house. Crews were able to get inside the home after knocking the fire down.
"It is devastating. They were nice people; they kept to themselves," neighbor Raymond Forand Jr. said.
"To know that I walk by every day, and see the house. The lady has come out several times and said, 'What cute dogs.' Its just really sad," Phyllis Corrado said.
It is unclear how the couple died. The victims' bodies have been transported to a funeral home.
The town's fire chief knew one of the victims.
"Any time any firefighter goes to a fire and there is a fatality or multiple fatalities, certainly it affects you emotionally. You dont like to see these things, and in our line of business, that is something we do have to deal with," Andersen said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. A family friend said the couple had recently purchased two space heaters.
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