Man killed in early-morning house fire

REGINA – A fire in the city’s northwest end on Friday morning has left one man dead.

Regina fire crews were called to the 300 block of Markwell Drive around 2 a.m. where they removed a 48-year-old man from a duplex in critical condition.

The burned man was transferred to EMS on scene where he later succumbed to his injuries.

A crew of approximately 20 firefighters eventually extinguished the fire after three-and-a-half hours.

Two people in the other side of the duplex were safely evacuated from the building. Firefighters credit the protective fire wall for limiting the damage to the other side.

The fire spread through the basement, main floor, and roof of the destroyed side of the duplex.

“There are some structural integrity issues so we’re going to work in that regard to make sure the scene is safe for investigators,” said Layne Jackson, Regina’s Deputy Fire Chief.

“So that may involve the use of some heavy equipment, some shoring.”

Jackson added it may be a few days before investigators can safely enter the building, then work will begin on determining an origin point and cause.

The incident is being investigated by the fire department, Regina Police Service (RPS), and the coroner’s office. It’s too early in the investigation to determine if the fire is suspicious, but police are still seeking information.

“Now would be the time to talk to witnesses, that sort of thing and to gather information. Memories can be fleeting and that sort of thing,” said Les Parker, the media development officer with RPS.

With files from David Baxter