Officials say one person is unaccounted for following a house fire in Pickering, Ont., early Wednesday morning.
Emergency crews responded to a call around 4:45 a.m. at a residence on Echo Point Court near Dixie Road and Finch Avenue.
When firefighters arrived, the home was engulfed in flames.
Neighbours tell Global News a woman in her 60s lived at the residence and authorities said she has yet to be found.
Fire officials said it is too early to determine the cause of the blaze. However, fire chief John Hagg said they don’t believe it is suspicious.
Pickering fire said they had been in contact with the victim before because of her accumulation of “stuff,” which was previously deemed a safety concern.
READ MORE: Investigation underway after fire rips through home in Pickering
This is the second residential fire in Pickering in the past 24 hours.
Investigators are looking into a fire that destroyed a home and damaged two others Tuesday morning at 1615 Alwin Circle near Kingston Road and Brock Road.
Officials said the fire started in the front porch area and four people escaped the blaze without any injuries.
Authorities deem that fire to be suspicious.
The fire chief issued a statement on Wednesday reminding residents the importance of fire prevention following a series of unrelated fires in Pickering this month.
“As the Fire Chief of this community, I am disheartened knowing that these fires were entirely preventable, and I am especially saddened that there were associated fatalities,” Hagg said.
VIDEO: Investigation underway after fire destroys Pickering home
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