Two Die in Berlin, Vermont Apartment Fire

BERLIN, Vt. (AP) -- A man and woman died Thursday and five families were left homeless by an early morning fire that swept through their six-unit apartment building, fire officials said.

The names of the victims have not been released because police have not made positive identification, said Berlin Police officer Jeff Cirignano.

The fire at the Hilltop Apartments was reported at about 4 a.m. Police and firefighters arrived shortly afterward, said Berlin Fire Chief Albie Lewis.

``They basically had fire end-to-end. It was a very, very heavily involved fire,'' Lewis said.

State police fire investigators were on the scene Thursday afternoon trying to determine what started the fire, Lewis said.

The two victims were in the same apartment. There were no injuries in the other apartments.

``The police department did a great job evacuating the building,'' Lewis said.

The building contained six apartment units, one of which was empty. The building was repairable, although Lewis wouldn't estimate the cost of the repairs.

The American Red Cross and Vermont housing officials were helping the displaced people find accommodations, Lewis said.