A man from Antigonish, N.S., and one from Collingwood, N.S., have lost their lives following two separate house fires on Thursday.
The blaze in Collingwood happened just after midnight. Fire Chief Bruce Rushton says fire crews arrived to find nearby residents trying to save the 65-year-old man trapped inside.
“It was full of smoke,” he said. “Heavy, heavy smoke, and flames as well.”
Rushton says the victim had many friends in the tight-knit community.
“I would say if not everybody, most. He was well known,” Rushton said.
Rushton, who has been fire chief for 31 years, says this is the first fire-related death he can remember.
“It's a hard time for the community and for those who knew him, friends and so on and family members,” he said. “Our condolences to them.”
The provincial fire marshal requested the assistance of RCMP cadaver dog to help with the fire. After a brief search the dog located the remains of the homeowner. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined
“It's still under investigation. I can't really comment on that right now. The fire marshal is investigating, the RCMP are investigating as well,” said Rushton.
A 73-year-old Antigonish man lost his life during a fire on the same day.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Jonathan MacInnis
