A fire that killed a Dundas couple in their home early Monday morning is now being considered a double murder. Hamilton police today saying the blaze was deliberately set.
Over the week police have been inside the home and found evidence that it was a murder. The couple, in their 60’s were targetted in the middle of the night while they were sleeping.
“These were innocent sleeping victims who would have experienced sheer terror.” Det. Sgt. Steve Bereziuk, Hamilton Police.
It was just just before 4 am on Monday morning when the fire ripped through the single storey home on Greening court. 64-year old Carla Rutherford was trapped inside the burning house but her 63-year old husband Alan somehow managed to escape the flames and knock on a neighbours door for help. He had burns to 80% of his body and died hours later in hospital.
Hamilton police will only say the fire started in the bedroom which is at the back of the house. They won’t say yet what started the fire or what evidence they found inside. The family has been cooperative.
Alan and Carla Rutherford were retired from Hamilton Health Sciences where they met and worked. They just celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary but had been together for 20 years and were long time members and volunteers at the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club.
Because of the massive scene and the significant damage to the home, police say this will be a lengthy and complex investigation.
