The Henrico County Fire and Police departments are conducting a joint investigation into a house fire that claimed multiple lives this morning in the 1700 block of Debbie Lane in the county's north side. Assistant Fire Marshall Will Shumate said the fire department initiated an aggressive response when they received the call because reports indicated there were people trapped in the home.

"With the report that there may be victims trapped, Henrico Fire upgraded it to a second alarm which brought an additional two engines and another specialty unit as well as multiple ambulances...there's a bunch of people out here today," Shumate said.

The fire was marked under control around 11:00 this morning. The number of fatalities was unknown when fire and police officials conducted a press briefing at 11:30 this morning and the victims have not been identified. Lieutenant Eric Owens with the Henrico Police Department said police investigators are exploring all possibilities as to the cause of the blaze.

"On fires where there is a fatality, we normally work as a group - Police and Fire together. Everybody has resources that compliment each other," Shumate said.

On scene, 1700 block of Debbie Lane in Henrico County