Pair killed in Santa Monica fire were 92-year-olds married nearly 70 years

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KESQ) - A man and woman, both in their 90s, were identified by authorities today after the married couple's bodies were found when crews put out a fire in a house in Santa Monica.   

Firefighters discovered the bodies of Helen and Anthony Spaulding, both 92, after being dispatched to the 500 block of Lincoln Boulevard at 2:54 a.m. Sunday and knocking down the fire, officials said. They were identified by the Los Angeles County medical examiner's office.

The Santa Monica Police Department and Santa Monica Fire Department responded to the home, which was fully engulfed in flames upon their arrival.   

Authorities did not immediately release further details, but multiple media outlets reported that the couple lived at the house with a caretaker.   

Outside the home Sunday, the caretaker told KTLA5 that the couple had been married for almost 70 years.   

"Lovely couple,'' Rick Garcia told the station. "They had a great relationship. Five children, five lovely children, all very dedicated to their parents. Very, very dedicated family."  

The cause of the fire was being investigated.