Two people are dead following a house fire in East Preston, outside Halifax.

Someone noticed flames at the home on Salmon River Drive just before midnight Wednesday and phoned 911.

The home was fully engulfed in flames when police arrived on the scene, making it impossible for them to enter the home. They say smoke was billowing out the front door.

When firefighters arrived, they managed to pull a woman out of the house.

Emergency crews performed CPR, but the woman was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

A man was also found inside the home. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The RCMP came in to say there was a fire next door and you should be prepared to leave if you have to,” says neighbour James Brinkschulte.

“I watched outside as they tried to put the fire out. They unfortunately brought out a couple of bodies. One ended up leaving in the ambulance and the other, unfortunately, didn’t make it that far.”

The couple is said to be in their late 50s or early 60s. Their dog also died in the fire.

Neighbours say the couple were both retired from the school system and had lived there for more than 20 years.

Firefighters spent Thursday scouring the scene for clues.

Investigators say the fire is not considered suspicious but the cause remains unknown at this time.