Man charged with 2nd-degree murder after fatal Brantford house fire

Brantford police have charged a man with second-degree murder following a fatal fire in the city’s north end Monday.

Officers say they received reports of a fire around 7:45 a.m. at a townhouse on Buchanan Crescent.

Neighbours told CHCH News that they saw fire and smoke coming from a window of the townhome.

“I got back around – right around the time that the fire trucks were called. I saw fire coming out of the window and black smoke, so I ran out to see if I could help,” said Brittaney Valde, friend and neighbour of the deceased.

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A 49-year-old woman was taken out of the home and brought to hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

“There had been three other adults at the time who were also removed from the residence and treated at the local hospital for injuries,” Const. Alex Guerra said.

Police say the 40-year-old Brantford man who was arrested and charged was among the group of people taken to hospital.

He is scheduled to attend a bail hearing on Wednesday.

Brantford police and Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshall are investigating the fire as a criminal case.

Guerra said there is no threat to public safety.

Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact police at 519-756-7050.

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