CHICAGO (CBS) – Police are investigating a double murder in the far north side West Ridge neighborhood, and a fire apparently set to cover it.

Smoke coming from a third floor apartment prompted neighbors to summon firefighters to the courtyard apartment building at 6438 N. Sacramento Av., shortly before 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said the fire was put out in a matter of moments. When firefighters found the bodies of the victims, a man and a woman, they immediately summoned police, who took over the crime scene.

Authorities said it appeared that both had been stabbed to death, and that the killer then set the fire using an accelerant.

Area North police detectives are investigating.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Bob Roberts reports