CUPERTINO, Calif. (KRON) — One person died in a house fire early Monday morning in Cupertino.
The fire started around 4:30 a.m. at 1055 of Tuscany Place, according to the Santa Clara County Fire Department. Firefighters found the victim inside after doing a search.
“Firefighters found heavy smoke and fire on arrival,” the department said.
While the investigation is still ongoing, officials have not ruled out that this could be a homicide.
Two people were able to get out of the home but a third person was found dead inside.
Investigators with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office say the death is suspicious and the home has become a crime scene.
Investigators say it sparked on the first floor before making its way to the attic.
Homicide and arson investigators are looking into what happened.
Neighbors tell KRON4 that even before the fire the home had become a problem spot in the area.
Vicki Melin says the home was being rented out and the tenants were often a nuisance. The neighborhood at one point circulated a petition to evict those tenants.
Investigators remained on the scene for more than 13 hours after the initial call. Neighbors are left wondering what’s next for the fire-damaged home.
The name of the victim has not been released by investigators.
They are still working to notify the next of kin.