Chelan house fire analysis continues; two victims not yet identified

Chelan home at 418 E. Woodin Ave. destroyed by fire, Aug. 21. Photo courtesy: Dennis Rahm, Lake Chelan Now.

No origin has been determined from the fatal blaze that killed two people and destroyed a home at 418 E. Woodin Ave. in Chelan on Thursday.

The Chelan County Sheriff's Detectives lead the ongoing investigation into a cause and with the assistance of the Chelan County coroner, what led to the death of the man and woman. Their bodies were found in an upstairs bedroom of the two-story, four-bedroom home, originally built in 1935.

Critical fire evidence continues to be analyzed by the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab and by federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents.

"We're not at a point to say it's definitely a suspicious or human cause," Chelan County Sheriff's Operations Chief Ryan Moody said he is awaiting test results from that analysis. "We still have to analyze everything and at this point everything is on the table."

"People who witnessed it (the start of the fire) that it did start fast," said Chief Moody in recollecting the first statements made to investigators.

Chief Moody said Tuesday that at the time of the fire, 11 individuals were inside the home. The two people who sustained injuries were transported to Lake Chelan Community Hospital. One male victim was treated and released later Thursday, while a female victim was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for further care.

The identities of the deceased are being withheld pending autopsy results and

notification of next of kin.