3 found dead after Berks County fire; home called 'crime scene'

UNION TOWNSHIP, Pa. - State police are calling the Berks County home where three people were found dead following a garage fire a "crime scene." 

The fire broke out on the 900 block of Chestnut Street in Union Township around 5:30 p.m.

According to officials, 63-year-old Joanne Deluca and 60-year-old Ira Reed Jr. were found dead at the scene. A third person was also found deceased. That person's identity has yet to be released by authorities. 

One neighbor told FOX 29 said he smelled smoke, ran to the home and guided the fire crews to the property.

Crews found an unresponsive dog and two cats on the property, as well.

“A fire could be a crime, it could be arson. Just by the mere fact that it could be a crime scene, but now you throw in three deceased victims back here," We don’t know till the autopsy, till we do some legwork, interviews. We don’t know for sure."

Fire crews were able to contain the blaze within 40 minutes.

There was no immediate word on the cause of death.