House fire claims life in Halton Hills, crime unit investigates

A house fire in Halton Hills has claimed the life of a Georgetown resident.

Halton Regional Police confirm that a female occupant of the home was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name has not been released.

No other people were found in the home and no other injuries have been reported.

At this stage, the police crime unit has been called in to investigate.

Emergency crews arrived at the scene on Victoria St. just after 5 a.m. this morning (Feb. 7) after reports that smoke was seen coming from the home.

Firefighters say they were met with a house engulfed in flames that was spreading to a neighbouring residence.

People in that house and other nearby homes were evacuated. Eventually the fire was brought under control by the Halton Hills Fire Department.

The smoke from the fire could be seen across the community with many taking to social media to describe what they saw.

“I just knew something bad was happening because there was so much smoke and the smell was really strong,” a nearby resident wrote on a Georgetown online chat group. “I just hope and pray that the reports that somebody died is not true. This is terrible.”

Members of the Halton Regional Police Criminal Investigations Branch and Major Crime Bureau are currently investigating the circumstances of this incident.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Det-Sgt. Joe Barr 905-825-4747 ext. 8760 or through the Major Crime Tip Line at 905-825-4776.