BELLEFONTE — Two Spring Township residents who died in a March 28 house fire have been identified by the Centre County Coroner’s Office.

The victims were identified as Melvin Emel, 79, and his sister, Evelyn Rees, 73. Both died of smoke inhalation, according to Coroner Scott A. Sayers.

Their manner of death was ruled accidental.

The victims, who were pronounced dead at the scene of the fire, were identified through DNA analysis, Sayers said.

According to the Spring Township Police Department, emergency responders were dispatched around 9:15 a.m. on March 28 to the 100 block of Mulbarger Lane for a reported structure fire. Upon arrival, police learned the homeowners were still inside. After multiple fire departments brought the blaze under control, authorities searched the residence and found Emel and Rees deceased.

The investigation into the fire was conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal and the Centre County Coroner’s Office.