Two people were arrested Tuesday after being accused of setting fire to a home on Cleveland Street on Monday night that killed two people inside.

Celisa Heard Hamilton, 46, of Newberry Street, and Theodore Fred Sharpe, 51, each are charged with first-degree arson and two counts of murder. Richmond County sheriff's Lt. Scott Peebles said Mr. Sharpe lived with the victims, who were found dead inside the house in the 1600 block of Cleveland Street shortly after 11 p.m. Monday. Investigators say they believe the suspects set fire to the front bedroom as the two victims slept inside.

"The suspicion is they were likely asleep and possibly intoxicated, or both," Lt. Peebles said.

He would not comment on the suspects' motives but said authorities "have an idea" because several people who witnessed the fire have been talking to police.

When asked about Ms. Hamilton's relationship to Mr. Sharpe, Lt. Peebles said she was a "regular" in the neighborhood who "frequented" the home.

An autopsy revealed the victims died of smoke inhalation. As of Tuesday afternoon, authorities had identified Herman M. Cadle, 51, as one of the victims but were still trying to notify the family of the other before releasing a name, according to Richmond County Coroner Grover Tuten.