2 dead in 'suspicious' fire in Springhill home under renovation

Two people are dead in what RCMP are calling a "suspicious" fire at a home in Springhill, N.S.

SpringhillFire Department Chief Stanley Hunter saidthe fire broke out at a home on BeatonsLane around 4 p.m. on Tuesday and fire crews were able to knock it down quickly.

Hunter said the home was under renovation at the time of the fire and believes it may have started in the basement area.

Police were called to the scene after fire crews found the remains of two people inside, the RCMPsaid in a news statement. Hunter said when fire crews found the pair, they were beyond medical help.

On Thursday, police confirmed the two victims were a 45-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man.

Autopsies wereconducted Wednesdayby the medical examiner's office.

"Given that the fire at this stage is deemed suspicious, we are not able right now to identify the cause of the fire," said RCMPCpl. Dal Hutchinson.

He said the RCMP's major crime unit is leading the investigation.

Hutchinson said any time there is a fatal fire, it has a big impact on the community and first responders.

"We are the ones who have to respond to these fires and deal with the aftermath when it involves a fatality," he said.

"In a community such as the one we are dealing with today, which is a very tight-knit community and small, people are looking out for each other and supporting each other during this difficult time."

Hunter said the tragedy has been difficult for his crew.

"We've got four of our individuals now who are having a hard time dealing with itthey're fairly new," he said. "We have the critical incident stress management team coming tomorrow night."