Cause of deadly Bethesda house fire still a mystery as concerned neighbors seek answers

BETHESDA, Md. - The cause and victim of a deadly house fire in Bethesda remain a mystery and neighbors say they want answers.

More than a week after the fire on Danbury Road, Montgomery County police are still stationed around the clock at the burned out home and a locked gate secures the property at night. Police say they want to preserve evidence in case this becomes a criminal case.

Investigators say one man was found dead in the basement of the home. A second man, the 26-year-old living in the house, escaped. The resident's connection to the victim is unclear.

On Tuesday, Montgomery County police say the state medical examiner's office still had not been completed the autopsy on the victim. Investigators say they have an idea who he is, but want to be sure.

Fire investigators say they found hoarding conditions inside the home, and according to sources, a bunker with tunnels was discovered below the house.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue says the cause of the fire is still undetermined, and the agency is waiting for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to analyze electrical equipment from the inside the home.

Neighbors told FOX 5 that a team of investigators is in and out of the home during the day.

"Obviously, the big question, what happened? From all the scuttlebutt, it just sounds kind of suspicious," said neighbor Adam Tamashasky.

FOX 5 spoke to multiple neighbors who said they are surprised no conclusive details about what happened have been revealed after nine days.

"The things that have come out about the condition of the house, the bunker underneath just goes to show you are never quite sure who is living around," Tamashasky said.

Police say the man who lived in the home has been cooperative.

FOX 5 has not been successful getting in touch with him. Neighbors say he lived alone and inherited the house from his parents.