Police launch criminal investigation into fatal fire in Brantford

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One person hurt in Brantford townhouse fire

Police investigating fatal townhouse fire in Brantford

The Brantford Police Service has launched a criminal investigation into a fire that claimed the life of a woman Monday morning.

In a news release, police confirmed a 49-year-old woman died during the fire at a townhouse on Buchanan Crescent around 7:45 a.m.

The woman, who lived at the home, was taken to hospital where she pronounced dead. Police said three other adults were also in the building at the time of the fire and were taken to hospital for medical treatment.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Sean Driscoll, a spokesperson for the Office of the Fire Marshall, said they have paused their investigation inside the home while they wait for the post-mortem to be completed.

A neighbour who lives in the same townhouse complex said his son alerted him to the fire.

“When I run and look, it was my friend across the road right here, across the complex,” Brandon Thomas said. “Then I see all the firetrucks – the firemen kicked off the door and ran inside and brought out someone in a blanket.”

“She was a nice lady,” Thomas remembered. “[She] always said hi in the morning.”