Man, woman killed in house fire in Washington Township; criminal investigation underway

2 killed after house fire in Sewell; criminal investigation underway

A criminal investigation is underway after officials say two people are died in a devastating house fire in Gloucester County.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. - Devastating scenes in Gloucester County after a house fire claimed the lives of two people early Sunday morning.

What we know:

Officers responded to Tranquility Court and Orion Way for reports of a loud explosion and fire just after 2 a.m.

They arrived to find a home fully engulfed in flames from an apparent explosion. 

However, officials say it was a fire, not an explosion, and that a criminal investigation is now underway.

A man and a woman were killed in the fire, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office.

What we don't know:

Officials have yet to release the age and identity of the victims.

The cause of the fire is also unknown at this time.

What they're saying:

Neighbors tell FOX 29 that they heard a loud explosion, and woke up to a huge fireball that spread throughout the home, then into the sky.

"I just heard an explosion, looked out the bedroom window and the house next door was full of flames," a neighbor said.

When Jill Rauf saw her neighbor's house on fire she grabbed her 92-year-old mother and husband and drove away as fast as she could. 

"It’s a shock who would’ve thought you know I’m looking next door and there’s a house that was there now it’s gone and the person and it is gone too and it’s devastating," said Rauf.

People who know the man who rented the house say he was a nice guy who always treated everyone with respect.

"It’s sad like I wouldn’t wish that on nobody it’s just sad to see people go out that way," said Michael Gay, neighbor.