BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Two people are dead after an overnight fire in Bentonville. Police and fire marshals are investigating to figure out what caused the fire.
It’s unclear whether the two people found dead died due to the fire or before it happened
“We’re investigating what led up to this fire. We’re working on identifying the people that were inside,” said Adam McInnis, Bentonville public information officer.
Around 4:15 Thursday morning, a neighbor called 911 about the home across the street catching fire. “The caller saying the house was fully engulfed,” McInnis said.
Neighbor Shawn Mockeridge says he was leaving for work as Bentonville firefighters were putting out the flames. “I think I saw about two fire trucks. I saw an ungodly amount of cop cars. I saw EMS trucks, probably 3-4. And an ungodly amount of people,” Mockeridge said.
The one-way road to get off his street was blocked.
“I don’t know what was going on. I saw some caution tape, so I knew something that was happening,” said Mockeridge
Bentonville fire, police, fire marshals, and the Bentonville Criminal Investigation Division investigating the cause of the fire. As well as the cause of death for the two neighbors inside the home.
“It’s actually really shocking. I mean, that’s a really, really quiet neighborhood,” said neighbor Kelly Winkler.
Saying it’s a quiet neighborhood and a tight-knit community. However, many neighbors say they don’t know much about the people whose home caught fire. But they are still concerned for the lives lost in their neighborhood.
Everybody’s first thoughts in the whole neighborhood are worried about family and helping them out with whatever they need. Making sure, kind of re-planning on your own fire safety plan,” said Sonja Conner, who lives nearby.
The corner is still investigating what killed the two people found in the home. Their identities have not been released.