A double murder on Sioux City's north side leaves two young girls dead after a fire at their home.

Their stepfather is now accused in their deaths. Larry Harris, 24, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 8-year-old Alysha Suing and her 10-year-old sister Kendra. Harris made an initial appearance in Woodbury County Court Monday morning. 

The charge comes after a fire at his home at 1420 Nebraska Street around 4 p.m. Sunday. Firefighters pulled the sisters from the second floor of the burning home. They were later pronounced dead at St. Luke's Hospital. Investigators believe the girls were strangled and stabbed before the fire.

Harris was caring for the his stepdaughters and his own 3-year-old son, while the girls' mother was at work. Harris and his son made it out of the home alive.

The stepfather told officers the girls were dead in their rooms. He also said he had been casting a spell that went bad and had severe consequences.

Family members tell us they didn't believe Harris was capable of this crime.

Dean Stroman, the girls' uncle, says, "Like I said I always thought he was a nice guy. I guess everybody's got their secrets."

Harvey Hansen, the girls' grandfather, says, "It's gonna be lonesome. I got grand kids. But I got other ones that call me grandpa and anyone of them I loose is gonna hurt."

Autopsies are being performed on the two girls on Monday.

Police have scheduled a news conference for Monday afternoon.