2 killed in New Hope house fire

Two people died in a house fire Thursday morning in New Hope.

According to New Hope Police, firefighters and paramedics were called to a reported fire near 46th and Aquila avenues at about 10:52 a.m.

“We responded to find a house with fire coming out from the basement and heavy smoke coming out from the second story,” said West Metro Fire-Rescue Chief Sarah Larson. “It had been burning for quite some time and it was challenging to put out.”

She said the split-level style of the home and heat of the fire created difficulties for fire crews.

Firefighters extinguished the flames, but upon searching the residence found two people dead.

The State Fire Marshal is investigating the fire with assistance from the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office. They are still working to figure out what caused the fire.

They are also working to determine whether there were working smoke alarms inside of the home.