Kawartha Lakes community marred by three December building fires

DAN CEARNS The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: A number of recent fire investigations are taking place in Kawartha Lakes.

On Saturday, December 16th, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reported they were called to a residence near Janetville because of a fatal fire.

According to the OPP, “at approximately 2:30 a.m., officers, along with City of Kawartha Lakes Fire and Rescue, were dispatched to a house fire on Cedar Crescent, near Janetville. A 62 year-old male was pronounced deceased at [the] scene.”

The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal and the Office of the Chief Coroner are currently conducting an investigation.

One day later, on Sunday, December 17th, the Kawartha Lakes Police Service (KLPS) attended a “residential fire on Russell Street East, in Lindsay.”

“When officers arrived, the house was fully engulfed in flames. No injuries resulted from this incident. The Kawartha Lakes Police Service Criminal Investigation Branch continues to investigate with the assistance of [the] Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal,” a KLPS press release stated.

A City of Kawartha Lakes press release further explained, “fortunately, the basement tenants of the Russell Street dwelling managed to escape unharmed, thanks to a working smoke alarm which was interconnected with the upper level alarm of the residence, where the fire originated. The functioning alarm played a pivotal role in alerting the occupants, underscoring the crucial importance of early detection.”

On Tuesday, December 19th, a third Kawartha Lakes fire, this one in Cambray, was being investigated.

“On December 19th, 2023, at approximately 7:22 p.m., officers, along with City of Kawartha Lakes Fire and Rescue, were dispatched to a house fire on Elm Tree Road, near Cambray,” an OPP press release stated.

The press release added “no one was injured during this incident.”