Law enforcement officials in New Jersey have launched a criminal investigation into a destructive house fire — which neighbors have described as an explosion — on Sunday that resulted in two fatalities and left the residence in Washington Township reduced to rubble.
Prosecutors in Gloucester Township informed NBC10’s Neil Fischer that the Gloucester County Fire Marshal’s Office is collaborating with law enforcement officials to ascertain the cause of the deadly fire, as the situation is now being treated as a criminal investigation.
Officials also mentioned that the county’s coroner’s office is still working on the case and has not yet completed an autopsy report for the two individuals — a man and a woman — who were extracted from the remains of the home.
The identities of the two individuals found in the property have not yet been revealed by law enforcement officials.
But, neighbors, and a woman who he previously dated, identified the man who lived at the home as Daniel Steele.
“It’s an emotional roller coaster. I hurt for his whole family. I hurt for her family. I hurt for myself, because Dan was one of the best people I ever met,” Steele’s former girlfriend, Nicole Ruiz, told NBC10’s Miguel Martinez-Valle.
Ruiz said that, before Sunday’s fire, Steele dropped his dog, Billy, off at her home and along with some dog food.
