MONTGOMERY — The Sunday morning fire at the home of longtime political figure John Sheridan and his wife — both of whom were pronounced dead that day — was set intentionally, the Somerset County Prosecutor's office said.

John P. Sheridan, 72, died at the scene, authorities have said. Joyce Sheridan, 69, was pronounced dead at University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro. But authorities have not yet said whether the fire caused their deaths.

The fire was contained to the upstairs master bedroom, where it was set, the prosecutor's office and Montgomery Police said in a joint announcement Wednesday afternoon.

It did not say how the fire was set, or if there are any suspects in the arson.

"Prosecutor Soriano states that the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan remain an active and on-going investigation with laboratory results still pending," the announcement states.

On Sunday, at about 6:13 a.m., Montgomery Township police and fire personnel responded to a 911 call of the fire at a Meadow Run Drive, home in the Skillman section of Montgomery Township, the prosecutor's office said. The Sheridans were found unresponsive in the bedroom, it said.

Detectives from the Montgomery Township Police Department, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Crime Scene Investigations and Forensics Unit, the Arson Task Force, and the New Jersey Regional Medical Examiner’s Office responded and have been conducting an "exhaustive investigation," it said.

John Sheridan's career spanned almost 40 years in government service, law and healthcare. On Monday several of those who knew him, including Gov. Chris Christie, Senator Cory Booker and former Gov. Christine Whitman, reflected on his life.

At the time of his death, John Sheridan was president and chief executive officer of Cooper University Health System, which is based in Camden. Joyce Sheridan was a retired school teacher with the South Brunswick School District.

The couple leaves behind four sons: Matt, Dan, Tim and Mark, who serves as general counsel for the New Jersey Republican State Committee.

Wednesday afternoon, the four sons issued a joint statement, but said they would have no further comment on the deaths. It reads in full:

The couple was also survived by several grandchildren, Quinn, Caroline and John Patrick III, (Jack).

Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100, the Montgomery Township Police Department at 908-359-3222, or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers' Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be left anonymously online. All calls are confidential.

— Kimberly Redmond and Walter O'Brien contributed to this story



Louis C. Hochman may be reached at lhochman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LouisCHochman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.