Two men found dead after midnight fire consumes Vancouver apartment

Vancouver Police are investigating the deaths of two men whose bodies were found following an apartment fire in the Harney Heights neighborhood early Saturday.

Officers were responding to reports of a shooting at a four-plex apartment in the 2900 block of East 16th Street shortly before 12:30 a.m. Saturday when 911 callers reported smoke and flames coming from one of the apartments. Officers arrived and evacuated the neighboring units and assisted with road closure and scene protection.

According to the Vancouver Fire Department, the first engine arrived within minutes to find heavy smoke coming from the front and back of a second story unit. A second alarm was requested bringing a total of 25 firefighters to the blaze, including an engine company from Clark County Fire District 6.

Firefighters on the second floor discovered the fire had moved into the attic and requested additional hose lines and manpower. Crews had the fire out within 30 minutes but remained on scene for several hours.

When police were finally able to enter the building, the found the bodies of the two unidentified men. Officials have not said how either of the men died but the Vancouver police major crimes team, Vancouver police arson team, Vancouver Fire Department, Washington State Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating. No other injuries were reported.

The two-alarm fire also displaced four families from the apartment complex. The Red Cross has been contacted to assist them.