SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Authorities say a Utah couple have died after some malfunctioning Christmas tree lights sparked a fire at their house.

South Davis Metro Fire spokesman Jeff Bassett says the fire ignited Thursday night in a front room of the home about 10 miles north of Salt Lake City.

Bassett says investigators believe the husband and wife used a fire extinguisher to try to put out the flames but they were overcome by smoke.

He says 74-year-old Melba Mecham and 77-year-old Gary Mecham were unconscious when firefighters pulled them from the home. They died at a hospital.

Bassett said neighbors had called 911 and tried to rescue the couple, but the front door was too hot to open.

Neighbors say the Mechams had lived at the home for 49 years.