Officials at the scene of 500 Nate Whipple Highway in Cumberland.

By JOSEPH FITZGERALD

CUMBERLAND — Police and fire investigators Thursday found the remains of two bodies in the rubble of a fast-moving fire that destroyed a home on Nate Whipple Highway early yesterday morning.

Firefighters discovered the bodies of a man and a woman inside the house, which was razed by a massive fire that reportedly followed two explosions. The 4:24 a.m. blaze gutted the two-story colonial that sat on 12 acres at 500 Nate Whipple Highway, about a half-mile up the road from the Cumberland Middle School.
The rubble left by the fire is being treated as a crime scene and police investigators as well as investigators with the state Fire Marshal's Office were sifting through the debris well into last night searching for clues.
Police Chief John Desmarais confirmed the discovery of the first body yesterday morning, shortly after firefighters were able to get inside and investigate the charred remains of the structure. Confirmation that the remains of a second body as well as dead dog had been found was made at a press briefing around 1 p.m.
Desmarais would not comment on the identities of the two victims, their relationship or whether or not they were in fact the owners of the home, saying police were in the early stages of a criminal investigation and trying to contact the next of kin of both victims. Desmarias did say the bodies were not found near each other.
A residential listing for that address lists the occupants as Norman V. Langelier, 61, and Beatrice Langelier, 60.
Robert A. Joly, a neighbor who lives next door at 510 Nate Whipple Highway, confirmed that the residents and owners of the house were in fact Norman and Beatrice Langelier, whom he described as "perfectly nice people."
The bodies were brought to the state Medical Examiners office in Providence where autopsies were scheduled today to determine the cause of death.
Desmarais also declined comment on unconfirmed reports that firefighters arriving at the scene had found a handwritten note attached to a pickup truck warning firefighters not to enter the house because there were explosives inside. "I can't confirm that because that would be part of the investigation," he said.
The chief did comfirm that two explosions preceded the fire. "There were explosions, but as to what caused them will have to be determined by the fire marshal's office," he said. "We think the fire started with one explosion followed by a second explosion."
There were propane tanks on the property, he said.
The fire was contained about two hours after it started. The remains of the bodies were found after firefighters were able to get inside the house, which was fully engulfed when the first company of firefighters arrived at the scene.
"The structure sustained serious damage," Desmarais said. "The building is still unsafe."
Heavy equipment, including a backhoe, was brought in to tear down the remanants of the charred house.
The chief said the investigation would continue last night and today. "We will be here all night going through the house," he said.
According to Joly, the Langeliers had lived in the two-story colonial for about 8 years. They did not have any children, but owned three Yorkies.
"They were very friendly people and nice neighbors," he said. "It's sad and makes you wonder just how bad could things have been."
Joly said there had been no indication the Langeliers were under stress or having difficulties of late. Norman Langelier, he said, owned his own business in Attleboro manufacturing electrical boxes, and Beatrice was a homemaker who had been experiencing some back problems recently.
Joly said Langelier collected firearms, a fact that was partially supported by Desmarais who said investigators found ammunition in the house.
Joly was already awake when the fire erupted at around 4:24 a.m.
"I'm up at that time anyway and I was sitting in the den drinking a bottle of water when I heard a huge explosion. It was so loud it shook the house. At first I thought it was an electrical transformer. I didnt know about the fire until another neighbor ran over and said the house next door was on fire."
Joly ran over to the burning structure, but was forced back by the smoke and intense heat. "I couldn't get anywhere near it," he said.
Joly confirmed that a note was found on Langelier's pickup truck warning firefighters not to enter the building because there were "explosives" inside.
"It's sad," he said. "They were perfectly nice people and really got along well with each other. I guess you never know what really goes on in peoples' lives."