5 found dead in Denver bar fire may be victims of homicide

Denver police are investigating what they believe is the killing of five people whose bodies were found inside a bar that may have been torched to hide the killings, authorities said Wednesday morning.

The fire was reported at about 1:50 a.m. Wednesday, just before closing time at Fero’s Bar and Grill. When firefighters arrived they found the bodies -- four women, one man – inside.

“The business has obviously been set on fire, an arson, I’m guessing, to mask the homicide that occurred inside,” police Commander Ronald Saunier said at a televised briefing at the scene.

“There is just trauma, enough information to believe that we have a homicide that occurred here. They didn’t perish in the fire,” he said.

No identifications were immediately available. Autopsies will determine the cause of the deaths.

“It’s going to be a long, drawn-out investigation at this point,” Saunier said.

Police are asking anyone who may have been in the bar Tuesday night or Wednesday morning to contact authorities.

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michael.muskal@latimes.com