A house fire in Akron that left two people dead Monday morning is now being investigated as an arson.
The fire broke out at the home on Fultz Street just after 3:30 a.m.
Neighbors told newsnet5.com that the man and woman who died were a couple in their 60s.
They were identified by the Summit County Medical Examiner as 65-year-old Lindell Lewis and 66-year-old Gloria Jean Hart. Both lived in the home.
Willie Lewis, Lindell Lewis' brother, told newsnet5.com the family is having a hard time wrapping their heads around the tragedy.
"It's heartbreaking," Lewis said.
Lewis said everyone on the block knew his brother had just had a hip replacement, and couldn't move.
"I couldn't believe anyone wanting to do anything. With him not being able to move, why would you want to set fire to his house," he said.
Investigators said there were no working smoke detectors in the home.
The medical examiner conducted autopsies and confirmed the cause of death was smoke inhalation. The manner of death is pending.
Authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for a tip that leads to an arrest in this investigation.
