By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Gloucester County announced that on Sunday, May 11, at approximately 2:03 a.m., the Washington Township Police and Fire Departments responded to reports of a house fire and possible explosion at 13 Tranquility Court in Sewell.
Upon arrival, Gloucester County officials stated that first responders found the residence fully engulfed in flames.
The Washington Township Fire Department, with assistance from neighboring fire departments, was able to bring the fire under control and extinguish it, according to the Washington Township Police Department.
During a search of the home, investigators discovered the bodies of two deceased individuals inside. A male, believed to be the tenant of the residence, was located in the living room with a handgun found near the body, GCPO officials say.
According to Gloucester County officials, his identity is pending official confirmation. The Gloucester County Medical Examiner has ruled his death a suicide caused by the fire.
Also found was a female victim, whose identity is also pending official confirmation, GCPO officials say. She was located on a bed in a bedroom and had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head at a time preceding the fire.
Her death has been ruled a homicide by the Gloucester County Medical Examiner, Gloucester County authorities said.
Glpuceset County officials say the investigation conducted in the aftermath of the fire revealed the presence of an accelerant and that the home’s gas line had been tampered with, enabling unrestricted flow of natural gas into the home’s interior.
The circumstances surrounding the fire and the deaths are being jointly investigated by the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, the Washington Township Police Department, and the Gloucester County Fire Marshal’s Office, according to GCPO officials. 
As this remains an active and ongoing investigation, further information will be released as it becomes available.
IMAGE CREDIT: WTPD