St. Thomas, Ont., police, along with the St. Thomas Fire Department, are investigating a death that occurred early Wednesday.
Around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, a fire in the area of Hiawatha and Curtis Street was reported to St. Thomas police and St. Thomas fire.
Emergency services found a woman with life threatening injuries unrelated to the fire. She was taken to hospital by EMS and was later pronounced dead.
Police are treating the fire as an arson and the death as a homicide.
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No suspect has been identified, but police say there is no risk to the public and the incident was isolated.
Samantha Wakefield, corporate communications coordinator for St. Thomas police, said police are still working to identify the victim.
“We are waiting on next of kin,” Wakefield said. “Police are working to identify the specifics of their investigation in regards to the victim’s death as well.”
Other tenants in the building were able to escape the building safely, and have been connected with local victim services, Wakefield added.
Police said Wednesday afternoon that road closures on Hiawatha Street from Talbot Street to Scott Street, and on Curtis Street from Mary Street to Mondamin Street remain in place.
“We can expect the closure to last into the overnight hours,” Wakefield said.
Police ask residents to avoid the area as the investigation continues and said more information will be provided as it becomes available.