2 dead after house burns down in New Jersey following 'gigantic explosion,' criminal investigation underway

"We heard this gigantic explosion. It was so big, I felt like it rocked my whole house," resident Suzanne Pinto told the outlet, adding that she felt her whole house shake and rushed outside to find the neighboring home consumed in a massive fireball.

The exact cause of the fire remains unclear. The Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office said the case is being handled as a criminal investigation and that an autopsy will be conducted on both victims to gather more information, the local station reported. There were no other reports of injuries.

Fox29 reported that the home was completely destroyed in the blaze, and nearby houses also sustained damage. 

"Looked out the bedroom window, and the house next door was just full of flames," Ralph said. "It's a shock. It's a shock. Who would have thought? You know, looking next door and there's a house that was there, and now it's gone. And the person in it is gone, too. And it's devastating." 

Pinto said while she tried to check on her nearby neighbors to see if they were okay, she could tell that the residents inside the burning home couldn't be saved, according to the outlet.

"Just very tragic, very tragic," Pinto added. "I see the guy every day. He has a dog. He walks up and down the street all day."