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« New buffer against eviction for artists, small businesses | Today | Deliveryman who fell to death ID'd as Warwick man » April 10, 2008Update: Bodies of man, woman found at Cumberland fire
CUMBERLAND -- The bodies of a man and a woman were recovered from a house destroyed by fire this morning, and police are treating the area as crime scene. Neither body has been identified, Police Chief John Desmarais told the press early this afternoon. He also would not say where they were found but did say they were not near each other. A dog was also found dead at the scene. Two people live in the house, Desmarais said at the scene earlier this morning. He still declined to say who the owners of the house are, but did say in response to a question that they have not made contact. According to Cumberland tax assessment records, the property at 500 Nate Whipple Highway is owned by Norman and Beatrice Langelier. Neighbors at the scene also said the Langeliers lived there. Neighbors said they heard explosions before realizing the house was on the fire. This afternoon, the chief confirmed that there was ammunition in the house. Because of that, he said scene was still considered dangerous and it was slowing down the investigation. He also said there were two separate explosions. But the cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Desmarais said officials do not believe the house had been broken into, and that there were no cars there that did not belong there. Asked if a note had been left, he said, "That is part of the on-going investigation." Also this afternoon, the police chief explained it was standard procedure in a case where there is a death to treat it as a crime scene. Both bodies were being brought to the state medical examiners' office today. Desmarais said he hoped to have causes of death tomorrow. -- With reports from Journal staff writer Mark Reynolds, projo.com staff reporter Brandie Jefferson and staff photographer Bill Murphy The residence at 500 Nate Whipple Highwayis near Little Pond County Road and Diamond Hill Road. The fire was called in at about 4:30 a.m. today and "under control" a little before 6:30 a.m. At about 9 a.m., Desmarais told reporters that police and firefighters had yet not gone into the house. He had said earlier that firefighters hadn't gone into the building because of propane tanks on the property. 
Two explosions were heard earlier. One neighbor heard a sound like "a car crash." Another said flames were 30 feet in the air when firefighters arrived. Neighbor Cathy Joly, 70, said an explosion woke her. At first, she thought it was a transformer. Then a neighbor rang her doorbell to alert her to the fire. "Before you knew it, you could hear 'pop,' 'pop,' 'pop.' "I have no idea what happened, but it definitely was explosions," she said. Her husband, Robert Joly, who said he was a former local fire chief and former Marine, said it sounded like small arms ammunition going off. Both Jolys identified the Langeliers as the residents of the house. Mrs. Joly said the couple have lived at the house for about 8 years. They don't have children, but they have three dogs. Last year, they sent a Christmas card with a photo of the dogs, described as Yorkies. 
A man in military uniform, whom the police chief identified as the nephew of one of the residents, also wore a name tag with the last name Langelier. A section of the road was closed. Rescue and fire crews, as well as Mayor Daniel McKee, were on the scene. A medical examiner's vehicle was also spotted. Posted by Brandie Jefferson Commentscleo | April 10, 2008 7:48 PM link I know where the area is, i drive by on the weekends to get to Mendon Road I had goosebumps up and down my arms. I am so heartbroken to think that things could not have been worked out or fixed with a little time. I was disturbed about this without knowing the family. God bless them and my thoughts and prayers are with the families. May they rest in peace. Cheryl | April 15, 2008 4:45 PM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
All that can be said, is god bless those people and their families.