1 questioned after man fatally stabbed, woman found dead after SW Side fire

Detectives are questioning a person of interest after two people were found dead — one of them stabbed — after a Thursday afternoon fire at a Southwest Side home.

Carlos Herrera, 22, and 49-year-old Maria Herrera were found at their home in the 3600 block of West 55th Place about 2:50 p.m., according to Chicago Police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

An autopsy Friday found that Carlos Herrera died of multiple stab wounds and ruled his death a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Detectives are investigating the incident as a home invasion and think someone may have set the home ablaze before fleeing, police said.

Autopsy results for Maria Herrera were inconclusive pending further investigation.

A source said there were initial reports of an explosion which later were deemed unfounded. Crews did put out a fire at the home, but its cause is still under investigation, officials said.

Police said a person of interest was being questioned but no charges were pending Friday night.