PHOENIX, AZ – Three people were found dead following an apartment fire in Phoenix’s Ahwatukee area early Monday morning, prompting a homicide investigation due to suspicious circumstances surrounding one of the deaths.
The incident occurred at a residential complex near 48th Street and Warner Road. Firefighters responded around 6:34 a.m. after smoke emanating from a second-floor apartment was observed, according to Captain Todd Keller of the Phoenix Fire Department.
Upon entering the apartment, search and rescue teams discovered three adults in a rear bedroom. All three were unconscious and unresponsive. “Unfortunately, the individuals were beyond resuscitation,” Captain Keller stated during a news conference. Efforts from the fire crew successfully contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading to upper levels of the building.
Adding a complex layer to the case, Phoenix Police, who joined fire officials at the scene, observed that one of the victims exhibited signs of significant physical trauma. This alarming find spurred the involvement of homicide detectives in addition to the Phoenix Fire Department’s Arson Investigation Team.
As of now, the identities of the deceased remain confidential, pending not only next of kin notifications but also further investigation into the unfolding circumstances surrounding the tragic event. The probe into the cause and origin of the fire is ongoing, with police treating the case with heightened scrutiny due to the potential criminal elements involved.