Renfrew – The Ontario Provincial Police and Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office are continuing their investigation into a fatal house fire early Monday afternoon in the Town of Renfrew.

At approximately 1 p.m. on November 15, the Renfrew Fire Department was dispatched to reports of smoke coming from a structure on Fortington Street in the town.

“Two bodies were located in the home after the fire was extinguished,” an OPP release stated late Tuesday afternoon.

The release said police are treating the fire as suspicious and the Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office will be attending the scene to investigate. The Renfrew and Killaloe OPP Crime Units, the OPP Forensic Identification Services (FIS) and the East Region Support Team are all assisting with the investigation, under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB).

In addition, the Office of the Chief Coroner  (OCC) and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (OFPS) are also engaged. A post-mortem examination is scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Ottawa General Hospital.

The identity of the deceased individuals will not be released until family members have been notified.

Police are still on the scene and a portion of Fortington Street remains closed between Veteran’s Memorial Boulevard and Park Avenue. Local detours are in place and motorists are asked to avoid the area if possible.

Firefighters Met By Heavy Smoke, Fire

In a release from the Renfrew Fire Department, Acting Chief Michael Guest  said they  were dispatched at approximately 12:53 to a call for smoke in a residence on Fortington Street.

“Upon arrival, crews were faced with heavy smoke and fire in the basement of a single-storey duplex,” Acting Fire Chief  Guest said. “A heavy fuel load made conditions extremely difficult for the suppression crews, however, they worked diligently to bring the fire under control at approximately 2 p.m.”

A total of 13 firefighters and four apparatus were on scene with no reported injuries to the responding crew. Members of the Renfrew County paramedic service were also on scene as were personnel from Renfrew Hydro, who disconnected the power to the structure.

Acting Chief Guest said numerous pets were rescued by the fire crew and taken to the local vet for treatment.