This browser does not support the Video element.
This browser does not support the Video element.
A house fire in the Collin County town of Princeton has turned into a police investigation after a body was found inside the gutted home.
The fire started about 8:30 p.m. Monday at the house located on Willow Lane. Firefighters say the fire spread fast and flames shot through the roof, with several departments called in to assist.
After the fire was knocked down and firefighters were making a second sweep, a body was discovered inside. Police say the homeowner is a person of interest. He is the only person who lives at the residence and police say he is cooperating.
But multiple neighbors FOX4 spoke to say they've seen another man and a woman who also possibly lived there as well. Investigators say they are looking into every possibility, but they also say the public doesn't need to worry.
“We don't have an arson problem within our community,” said Chief Thomas Harvey, Princeton Fire Dept. “This fire is being investigated for a cause of arson, but that does not mean we have an arson problem or an arsonist in our city limits.”
Police say they can't tell if the victim was male or female or even an approximate age. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death and the victim's identity.
“Right now it's too soon to speculate exactly what caused the fire, the reason behind the death or anything along those lines,” said Princeton PD Chief James Waters.
John Hackett lives next door to the home and said he heard several explosions.
“The first one was a big boom, it shook my house. When I went out in the backyard I saw a bunch of secondary, smaller explosions,” Hackett said.
Police are not saying where the body was found inside the home. There's no indication any accelerant was used.