YONKERS, N.Y. (AP) – A fast-moving house fire on Wednesday killed a couple in their late 80s who had nailed their front door shut and put bars inside their windows to give them a “homemade security system,” officials said. Yonkers police blamed the deadly fire in this New York City suburb on improper positioning of a space heater.

Deputy Fire Chief John Flynn said the nailed-shut front door delayed firefighters somewhat, but added, “I don’t think it affected the outcome.” Flynn said the brick house was cramped and cluttered with debris. The victims were identified as Caroline Gorynski, 88, and her husband, Leo Gorynski, 87. She was found dead in a rear bedroom, her husband in a first-floor hallway. He died later at a hospital.

Flynn said the door and bars inside the windows amounted to “a homemade security system.” The couple used the garage to go in and out.

Flynn said a New York City firefighter had spotted smoke and tried to get into the house before Yonkers firefighters arrived but was unsuccessful.

AP-ES-01-02-08 1454EST