DAVID RUNK
Associated Press Writer

DETROIT - Authorities said they found two bodies in the burned shell of a boarded-up duplex on Detroit's southwest side after a fire early Thursday.

Firefighters found a man's body near the back of the home, and another body that was so badly burned its gender could not immediately be determined was discovered at the front, Detroit Police Homicide Investigator Roger Clemons said. Both were found on the first floor.

He said the bodies remained inside the home pending a review by the medical examiner.

Clemons said neighbors told investigators that the home had been vacant for about two years, but that someone recently may have been trying to fix it up.

Gabriela Hernandez, 50, who lives down the street from the burned home, said she thought two men in their 30s had recently purchased the house and had been working on it for about one week.

"They brought two trucks with tools" said Hernandez, who added that they had been sleeping in the duplex.

An illegal electrical hookup was found in the building but was likely not the cause, Clemons said.

"It may be just accident. Just a tragedy," said Clemons, adding that firefighters arrived at the home after receiving a 5 a.m. call.

An investigation was ongoing.

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