2 people found dead in burning Madison Heights home, police investigating

MADISON HEIGHTS (WWJ) -- Two people were found dead in a home that caught fire in Oakland County's Madison Heights on Wednesday.

According to Detective Lieutenant David Koehler of the Madison Heights Police Department, the Madison Heights Fire Department responded Wednesday morning to reports of a structure fire on Harwood Ave., west of John R Rd.

When firefighters arrived, at around 9 a.m., they found a single-story home on fire.

Firefighters entered the house, where they discovered two people who were already dead. Officials have not said how it's believed that the people died.

Jacqueline Johnson — who lives just a few houses down — watched as her neighbors' bodies were removed from the home.

While authorities have not said so, Johnson told WWJ's Darrylin Horne she suspects foul play could have been involved.

"And I just saw them carry them out, and his arm was just kind of hanging there, so I knew that they were in rough condition," Johnson said. "And then the second body that they brought out they had wrapped up in a sheet."

"The firetrucks weren't even there yet and they had it block off," she added. "So, that's kind of got our mind wondering if it was an accident or if something else more is going on here."

WWJ's Charlie Langton said multiple departments responded to assist with putting out the fire, which caused extensive damage inside the home.

At this time, no information is being released about the victims, including their names and ages, and it's still unclear how the fire started.

It remained an active seen into the late afternoon, as police said the investigation is ongoing. Langton reported that the Michigan State Police forensic lab is assisting in gathering evidence.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Det. Lt. Koehler at 248-837-2732, or the Madison Heights PD at 248-585-2100.

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