Tragedy struck in the quiet town of Spartanburg, South Carolina, as an elderly couple, identified as Glennwood Fowler, 82, and Joan Littlejohn, 84, were found lifeless in their home. The shocking discovery unfolded during a routine welfare check, conducted by local authorities and medics who were alarmed by the extreme conditions within the residence.

Responders were met with an intense wave of heat as they entered the couple’s home on Saturday evening. The elderly man lay on the bed unclothed, while the woman, fully dressed, was slouched on a chair by the bedside. The report obtained by WYFF revealed that the temperature inside the house was so high that it resembled a fire in the basement, with the heater recording an astonishing 1,000°F (537°C).

Assistant fire Chief Brad Hall described the situation, stating that temperatures had surged between 800 to 1,000 degrees. Shockingly, even after leaving the home open to cold weather for two-and-a-half hours, the temperature reading remained at a staggering 96 degrees. The victims’ family members had reported concerns about the lack of heating and hot water in the residence, especially since both individuals faced health challenges and were unable to move easily.

The elderly couple’s family, worried after not hearing from them for several days, had attempted to troubleshoot the heater. They noticed the pilot light on the hot water heater was off and managed to rectify it before leaving. Unfortunately, tragedy struck, and when authorities arrived, they confirmed the deaths of Glennwood Fowler and Joan Littlejohn. There were no signs of foul play, and while carbon monoxide poisoning has not been ruled out, further testing is required to determine the cause of death.

Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger expressed the need for a comprehensive evaluation to uncover any malfunctions in the heating system that may have contributed to the extreme temperatures inside the house. The tragic incident echoes a similar occurrence a week prior in Dover, Massachusetts, where a couple and their teenage daughter were found dead in their luxurious mansion. Additionally, over a year ago in Yorktown Heights, New York, a hoarding couple and 150 starving cats were discovered lifeless in their home. The circumstances surrounding these incidents continue to raise concerns about household safety and the potential risks associated with heating systems.