AFD: Fatal fire caused by candle

AUSTIN (KXAN) - An unattended candle caused a Saturday fire on Cougar Drive that killed two.

An Austin Fire Department investigation determined based on burn patterns on the night of the fire and follow up visits that the South Austin fire was accidental.

The fire killed Brent Ray McDavid, 32, and Norma Gene McDavid, 62.

On Tuesday homicide detectives began investigating the fire after witnesses reported shouting coming from the apartment before the party and a white vehicle seen outside right before the fire. 

Detectives located the two suspects and spoke with them.  They confirmed that they had been in the apartment visiting before the fire and that there was a lit candle in the area where AFD believes the fire started. 

Other witnesses from the apartment complex also confirmed that a candle was kept in the apartment. 

Captain Andy Reardon of the Austin Fire Department told KXAN that the two suspects are no longer suspects in an arson investigation.

The fire took two lives and caused $10,000 of structural damage and $25,000 of damage to the inside of the unit.