Couple dies in house fire in Novi

NOVI, Mich. (WJBK) - A couple in the 60s died when their house caught fire early Friday morning in Novi. 

Firefighters were called to the house on East Lake Drive, which is in a neighborhood near 13 Mile and Novi roads. When firefighters got there, the couple's son was already there and said his parents were likely in their bedroom. 

Firefighters found the couple in an upstairs bedroom, but say it was too late. 

"It's Christmas, and they're gone. They were coming over for Christmas," says Cheryl Miller, the sister of one of the victims. "Our house burned when we were kids and no one was hurt, but, I never expected they would be gone when we got here. I thought they were at work. Wasn't expecting them to be here."

Authorities have identified the victims as 61-year-old Barbara Garner and her husband, 66-year-old Kenneth Garner. 

"We believe the fire started in the basement; possibly the furnace is involved," says Jeffery Johnson, the director of Novi Fire Operations. "We've had the utilities shut off, the power, the electric and gas, so we don't believe those are involved at this point."

Miller told FOX 2 the couple was likely working on the heater just last night. 

Authorities haven't yet given a cause for the fire.