Fort Lauderdale Deadly House Fire Investigated As Murder-Suicide
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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) –Firefighters arrived to flames ripping through a Fort Lauderdale home and found a man and a woman dead inside overnight.
Flames were shooting through the roof at the home located at SW 3rd Avenue and 22nd Street.
Authorities have since confirmed they are investigating their deaths as a murder-suicide and arson. Officers said it appears the woman was killed and that the male committed suicide after possibly setting the home on fire.
A neighbor across the street called 911 before recording cell phone video. As firefighters arrived, were forced to call in extra crews to help.
Neighbor Jeff Hald knew the couple who lived there and says he heard and saw the disturbing events unfold. He said he heard gunshots and saw a flash.
"He barricaded the door....three guys tried to kick that door in," said Hald.
Neighbors and friends are in disbelief unable to figure out how it could end like this.
Steven Meyer said he was a friend of the couple who lived in the home. He had just learned of the fire and that two people were dead as he pulled up to check on the couple.
"Shock. I'm just in shock," said Meyer. "In disbelief. I can't believe, I can't believe it."
Visibly shaken, he told CBS4's Donna Rapado the couple was divorcing and relations were tense between the husband and wife.
"I texted him early this morning to see how he was doing. I live around the corner and on my way to work I saw the yellow tape," said Meyer. "I heard, while I was asleep, I heard on the news there was a fire on 22nd, but I thought they said 400, but it turned out to be this."
As the fire marshal looks into what caused the fire, police are looking into the deaths.
Investigators have not released the names of the man and woman found dead.
