UPDATE Two victims in Lily house fire Sunday morning suffered gunshot wounds

What was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Slate Ridge Road in Lily Sunday morning has turned into a homicide investigation after investigators discovered the victims died from gunshot wounds.

Laurel County Sheriff’s Deputy Gilbert Acciardo said the victims have been identified as Donnie and Sharon Jackson. Firefighters were called to the scene at 1126 Slate Ridge Road off of U.S. 25 about 10:20 a.m. Sunday. Acciardo said the 911 call came in when the couple’s grandson, who lived at the residence, returned home and discovered the blaze.

"He reported that flames were shooting out of the attic area," Acciardo said.

Lily, Campground and Laurel County firefighters responded and quickly had the fire under control, keeping it contained to the living room area of the home.

"There was a lot of smoke damage throughout," Acciardo said, noting the bodies were easily identifiable.

Acciardo said investigators are declining to release details such as where in the home the bodies were found and how many times or where each victim was shot, as those are details only known to the police and the perpetrator(s). In addition, investigators are searching for a motive.

"There is no evidence of a robbery," Acciardo said, adding investigators are still working to determine whether the fire was intentionally set in an attempt to cover up the murder.

The sheriff’s department has called in Lexington Fire Department Captain John Blanton, who is an arson investigator, to work on determining how the fire started. Acciardo noted Blanton previously worked part-time as a deputy with the sheriff’s department.

Deputy Charlie Loomis is leading the investigation into the murders.