2 Killed In 'Suspicious' Fire At Detroit Group Home

DETROIT (WWJ) - An investigation is underway on Detroit's east side after two people were found dead following a suspicious fire at an adult foster care group home.

Detroit fire officials say the blaze broke out at around 11:15 p.m. Tuesday at the house on Lakewood St., near  Freud  and Chalmers, a block south of Jefferson Ave.

Detroit Fire Department Deputy Commissioner Dave Fornell said foul play is suspected.

"Our arson investigators just left the scene," Fornell told WWJ's Mike Campbell, shortly before 7 a.m. Wednesday. "Right now they're calling it suspicious. It's undetermined what caused it. They know it started in the front living room area; that was where most of the fire was."

The victims have been identified as a 60-year old man and 59-year old woman who were upstairs when the fire started.  Five other people escaped, including one woman who lying in the front yard when firefighters arrived. Fornell said she was taken to a local hospital after suffering an anxiety attack.

Investigators are interviewing witnesses. No names have been released.