CHULA VISTA – An elderly couple was found dead in a house fire in Chula Vista Friday morning.
The fire was reported just before 7:30 a.m. in the 600 block of Claire Street. Chula Vista Fire Department confirmed that crews arrived to find the victims dead at the scene. One body was in the kitchen and the other in the hallway. Foul play was not suspected in their deaths, Chula Vista police said.
Chula Vista Police have Claire Ave blocked off. There's smoke coming from a home. @10News pic.twitter.com/x1SbgmK8Lh
— Matt Mendes (@10NewsMendes) December 11, 2015
A group of high school students passing by saw the flames and alerted a neighbor, who called 911, the fire department said. The students tried to open a screen window, but couldn’t get inside. Neighbors tried to hose down the fire, but the flames were too intense.
Firefighters are unclear exactly where the blaze started, but it damaged most of the living room.
The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage were not immediately known.
The couple has been identified as Darlene Lillian Welker, 79, and Bud Eugene Welker, 89.
"A horrible thing to see" - hugs and tears in Chula Vista. Neighbors try, but can't save couple #TheNow @10News 4PM pic.twitter.com/zWzPEG3OBi
— Anne State (@annestate) December 11, 2015
