Jan. 21--MALAGA -- An electrical problem was the likely cause of the house fire that killed two people early this morning , Investigators say.
"It's more probable than not that it was an electrical-caused fire that started in a small exterior room off the garage near the electrical sub panel," Mike Burnett, chief of Chelan County Fire District 1 said this evening after a long day at the scene.
A man and a woman died in the fire, which destroyed a 1950s-era rambler in the 3900 block of Dixie Lane. A neighbor reported the fire at 4:18 a.m.
Burnett said the names of the victims are being withheld until they are positively identified by autopsy next week.
Investigators think that the home's smoke detectors were in working order at the time of the fire, Burnett said.
The victims apparently weren't able to get out of the house, despite the help of a neighbor.
"He tried to make entry but was unable to due to the heat and the smoke," said Mike Burnett, chief of Chelan County Fire District 1.
The neighbor, Dennis Lynne, then "went to a bedroom window and tried to get in but was unable to," Burnett said. One victim was found in a bedroom and the other in a hallway.
"Heavy fire was coming out of multiple windows when we arrived," Burnett said, even though crews were on the scene in about five minutes.
Acting Chelan County Coroner Dani Utley visited the scene and ordered the bodies be transported to Central Washington Hospital, where the autopsy will be performed next week, Burnett said.
Investigators called in a sniffer dog to inspect the scene for accelerants, not because arson or gang activity were suspected, Burnett said, but to be extra cautious in probing the fatal fire.
The dog's inspection was negative.
Dee Riggs: 664-7147
Copyright 2012 - The Wenatchee World, Wash.
