Former councillor, daughter die in house fire in North Vancouver

Two people who died in an early morning house fire in a residential area of North Vancouver on Thursday have been identified as a former city councillor Robert Fearnley and his daughter.

North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan issued a statement Thursday night offering her condolences.

"I am incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Bob and his daughter," Buchanan said.

"Bob was an active member of our community and dedicated many years to public service, having served on city council from 1996 to 2011."

Buchanan's office confirmed the deaths of Fearnley and his daughter werein relation to the fire in the District of North Vancouver.

Flames broke out at a home on Upper Delbrook Avenue near Grenada Crescent just after 3 a.m. PT. A statement from RCMP confirmed two people a man and a woman from the same family were later found dead inside.

"We are in the very early stages of this investigation," Const. Mansoor Sahakwrote in a statement. "RCMP investigators will be working closely with the DNVFRS to determine the cause of the fire."

Firefighters have since extinguished the fire.

"When crews first arrived, they had heavy flames showing on the first and second floor of the home almost fully involved,"said District of North Vancouver Assistant Fire Chief Scott Ferguson.

Paramedics also took two additional people to hospital, according to B.C. Emergency Health Services.

The B.C. Coroner's Service is also investigating.