A couple in Phoenix, Arizona, was arrested after skeletal remains were discovered in the attic of their home. Social workers from the Arizona Department of Child Safety removed two children from the house earlier in the day, a week after they removed a third child over concerns they were being abused.
About an hour after the social workers left, authorities received a 911 call about a fire at the house. When firefighters arrived, they were met at the front door by a man who claimed the flames were contained to the fireplace.
"Firefighters knew that was obviously not the case," Phoenix fire Capt. Rob McDade told NBC News. "We ignored his pleas and made entry."
He said that if firefighters had arrived five minutes later, the entire building would have been consumed by the flames.
After extinguishing the fire, an arson dog detected gasoline on the walls and floor. When investigators went into the attic to check for hot spots they discovered skeletal remains. They did not say whether the remains were from an adult or child or how long they had been in the attic.
"As you can imagine, this is a very complex investigation. What's important to know is that the three children are safe," Phoenix Police Sgt. Maggie Cox told reporters. "You can only imagine the amount, the layers of investigation that are going on. There are so many interviews that are being done, evidence that's being processed."
Two adults, who were not identified, were taken into custody and are facing numerous charges relating to child abuse.