Couple Murdered in Nicosia Fire - Police

Two unidentified people have died in a fire in an apartment in the centre of Nicosia in what police are treating as a case of premeditated murder.

"The investigation is just beginning, we don't have many details, but it happened at 5.30 this morning," said a spokeswoman.

According to the latest information, the victims were aged 35 and 39 years old and were from the Philippines. Their identities will not be released because their next of kin must first be informed through the embassy. Four other people who were living in the apartment are being questioned by police.

The fire was in an apartment in a nine-storey building on Prevezis Street in the capital and was extinguished before reaching other apartments. It has not been confirmed whether the couple died in the fire or were murdered beforehand. The fire is thought to have been caused by an explosion according to witnesses at the scene.

"A man and a woman were found dead in a bedroom in the apartment which had been burned," said state pathologist Sophoclis Sophocleous.

Further details are expected as the investigation continues and after the autopsy which will be held tomorrow.