A man and a woman were found dead inside a Southeast D.C. home after firefighters entered to battle a blaze just blocks away from a second suspicious fire.
The two victims may have suffered injuries unrelated to the fire, D.C. Fire and EMS said.
Firefighters were called about 6:20 a.m. Saturday to a home on the 3300 block of Ely Place SE and found the man and woman dead on the first floor.
The fire started on the first floor and spread partially to the basement.
One firefighter was hurt after falling through the floor of the burning home. Medics evaluated the firefighter and he went right back into the house to continue searching for victims, D.C. Fire spokesperson Vito Maggiolo said.
Photos show the home clouded in smoke. Firefighters were able to knock out the flames so police and fire officials could investigate the scene.
The Humane Rescue Alliance also removed a large dog from the back yard, D.C. Fire and EMS said.
The identities of the man and woman have not been released. The medical examiner's office will determine their cause of death.
Fire officials say a second small but suspicious fire erupted "directly around the corner" on D Street Southeast about the same time, Maggiolo said. He said the fire appears to be suspicious in nature.
No injuries were reported, but four people were displaced.
Officials didn't say if or how the fires could be connected.
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Several streets were closed in the area during the investigation, including parts of Minnesota Avenue SE, 34th Street SE and Ely Place.
