2 people found dead following house fire in southwest Fresno, officials say

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Two people have died following a house fire in southwest Fresno early Monday morning.

Fire officials say the flames broke out at a home on Strother and Thorne Avenues just before 7 am.

Initial reports were that someone was trapped inside the home.

Firefighters found the man and woman in the back of the home.

The family has identified the two victims as Jimmie Hampton and Rodney Hampton Sr.

Officials are still investigating what started the fire.

"There is quite a bit of fire damage in one of the rooms, and then there is extensive smoke damage throughout the rest of the structure," said Fresno City Fire Captain Anthony Vasconcellos.

Vasconcellos said the two people inside the home may not have been alerted to the fire.

"In the time that I was working in the house, I have not heard any smoke detectors, and I have not seen any," said Vasconcellos.

As authorities continued to investigate the fire, family members were consoling one another in front of the home.

Grandchildren of the woman who died in the fire tell Action News she lived in this home for nearly 40 years.

As they navigate through this unimaginable loss, they hope to remember their grandmother for the impactful work she did as a teacher at King Elementary School.

They said she was a pillar in the Southwest Fresno community, always willing to help people in need.

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