One person unaccounted for in suspicious house fire

One person is unaccounted for as officials investigate a house fire in Essa Township deemed suspicious.

One person is unaccounted for after a fire broke out at a home in Essa Township Tuesday afternoon.

Firefighters were called to the property along the Ninth Line, prompting police to shut down the roadway between the 30th Sideroad to County Road 90.

Thick smoke could be seen billowing from the house as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. The fire chief noted crews were initially unable to search the interior of the home due to the heavy flames.

After an investigation, the fire has been deemed suspicious according to officials.

The Deputy Fire Chief of Essa, Gary McNamara, has since confirmed that one person is unaccounted for in the house fire. Two cats were found dead, and one rabbit was located in good health, OPP added.

Details regarding how the fire started are limited at this time. Officials told CTV News that the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office will remain on scene for the next few days.

There is no estimated dollar loss at this time.

With files from CTV’s Julianna Balsamo