Two die in Chapel Hill duplex fire

CHAPEL HILL -- Two people were found dead in a Chapel Hill duplex after firefighters responded to a blaze late Friday.

The Chapel Hill firefighters were called at 9:59 p.m. to a fire at 1816 Legion Road, according to dispatchers. Firefighters found two bodies inside who have not been officially identified yet.

But John McPhaul, the owner of the property, says the victims are Michael and Lesley Hirsch, a retired, married couple in their 60s who rented the duplex from him.

McPhaul said the State Bureau of Investigation has opened a criminal investigation into the case. The Chapel Hill police and fire departments also are investigating the blaze.

"It's certainly every landlord's nightmare to have a fire, and a fatal fire at that," McPhaul said. "It's a tragedy."

McPhaul said the couple relocated from Florida a year-and-a-half ago. He said they painted in watercolor. He also said Michael Hirsch was into martial arts and tai chi.

"It's a real shock," McPhaul said. "They were cool people, like old hippies."