Oct. 03--Two people were found dead Wednesday morning inside a burning Lakeside home.
Henrico County fire officials have identified the male victim as James Wallace, 53.
The bodies of Wallace and a woman were found inside the house that was heavily damaged in the predawn blaze, which also injured a Henrico firefighter, according to fire officials.
No details were available regarding the identity of the woman. Neighbors said Wallace had lived in the home with his mother for much of his life and that he was often seen riding a bicycle in the area and did not have a driver's license.
The cause of the fire and the cause of death of the two was still under investigation Wednesday night.
The blaze was called in about 5 a.m. by a neighbor across the street from the two-story brick home in the 2800 block of Ginter Street, according to Flenrico fire Capt. James Mellon.
The first units were on the scene within six minutes and had to force their way inside as the flames broke through the roof. The first person was found within four minutes and the second shortly afterward. They were declared dead at the scene, Mellon said.
One firefighter suffered minor burns to the cheek and ear after entering the home to search for residents, Mellon said. The firefighter was taken to VCU Medical Center, but his injuries were not believed to be serious.
Mellon said it took firefighters more than an hour to knock down the flames and switch into mop-up phase.
Police were assisting firefighters in the early stages of the investigation, which Mellon said was a standard procedure in cases where the cause of the fire is initially unknown.
"We jointly investigate with the police department," he said, "because we won't know what happened until we get inside and take a thorough look from both of our perspectives."
j macen ka@ti mesdispatch .com (804) 649-6804
Staff writers Mark Bowes and Bill McKelway contributed to this report.
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