FREDERICK — An electrical short is said to be the cause of a house fire that claimed the lives of a Frederick couple early Thursday morning.

Dead are 74 year-old Enrique “Henry” Ramirez and Lydia Ramirez, 63.

At approximately 2:40 a.m. 911 received a call of a structure fire located at 109 N. 15th.

The Frederick Fire Department, Police Department and Tillman County Ambulance responded.

According to the State Fire Marshall, the fire had started in the hallway due to an electrical short, and had been smoldering for a couple of hours before the fire department was called.

“The fire was very intense, with smoke coming out of all the windows and doors,” Frederick Fire Chief Tracy Newman said.

There were no smoke detectors inside the home at the time of the fire.

The Medical examiner from Lawton came and pronounced the couple dead due to smoke inhalation.