Deaths from June 25 fire termed ‘suspicious’ at the time of the incident

Detectives from the Vancouver Police Department Major Crimes Team are investigating a June 25 incident as a murder/suicide. There are no outstanding suspects. 

The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the final cause and manner of death and will release the identity of both deceased subjects once positive identification has been confirmed. 

On June 25 at approximately 12:28 a.m., 9-1-1 received multiple calls regarding gunshots coming from a four-plex in the 2900 block of E 16^th Street. As officers were enroute, callers reported smoke and flames coming from one of the units. 

Officers arrived and evacuated the neighboring units and assisted with road closure and scene protection as the Vancouver Fire Department extinguished the fire. This was a two-alarm fire which involved 25 firefighters including an engine from Clark County Fire District 6. 

It took approximately 30 minutes to control the fire. Upon entering, emergency personnel located two deceased males inside the unit where the fire occurred. There were no additional reported injuries as a result of the fire. All residents of the four-plex were displaced and are being assisted by the Red Cross. 

Investigators from the Vancouver Police Department Major Crimes Team and Vancouver Police Arson Team are continuing the investigation. Investigators from the Washington State Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted in the processing of the scene. 

Information provided by Vancouver Police Department.