Two people are dead following an early morning house fire in Brighton, Ont.
Firefighters responded to the blaze on Harbour Street around 7:25 a.m. after neighbours spotted the fire and called 911.
Firefighters on scene said one body was found deceased just outside the home in the backyard while another was found inside near the rear of the house overlooking Presqu’ile Bay.
The victims have yet to be identified.
“In the course of trying to knock down the flames, (firefighters) discovered the first victim and later determined that the second occupant of the home had not escaped the fire,” stated Brighton Chief Administrative Officer Bill Watson.
Brighton Fire Chief Lloyd Hutchinson said the house was engulfed in flames when crews arrived.
“I tried to get inside the house – I could not get inside the house,” he said. “Flames were rolling out of the south side of the house.”
The fire was intense but he said it was quickly brought under control.
“The cause of the fire has not been determined, nor whether working fire/ smoke alarms were present,” he said. “No names have been released pending notification of next of kin.”
He said the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal has been contacted to attend the scene.
Harbour Street is closed between Ontario Street and Edgewater Drive.
Crews from Cramahe and Trent Hills townships are offering back up at Brighton Fire Halls 1 and 2.
“We are deeply saddened by these events and offer our sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of those who lost their lives this morning,” said Watson.
More to come.