Niagara police investigate after deadly house fire on Elm Street in Niagara Falls

Niagara police have been called in to investigate a fatal house fire in Niagara Falls.

One man was found dead in the fire last night and police, along with the office of the Ontario Fire Marshal, are trying to determine how it happened.

So far, there’s no word on the cause of the fire or the cause of the man’s death, but neighbours on his quiet street are shocked by the news.

The fire broke out around 6 p.m. Wednesday night on Elm Street. There weren’t a lot of flames but lots of smoke.

“I could see the whole front sunroom area was creamy smoke, so I turned back around quickly to her and I said call 9-1-1 right away,” said a neighbour.

Just as fire trucks arrived, neighbours were running to help.

Today there was little damage visible outside. But once firefighters had the blaze out, they found a man’s body.

“We believe that person to be the lone occupant, an adult male, of this house,” said Const. Richard Hingley with Niagara police.

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Officers say next of kin have been notified.

They say there’s nothing suspicious so far, but they’re working to pin down the cause of the man’s death.

“What we have is a sudden death investigation from the police. That’s where our detectives are involved. And then the OFM is here to investigate the cause and determination of the fire. If those two come together in a manner that’s suspicious or criminal, then it becomes a criminal investigation,” said Const. Hingley.

The Ontario Fire Marshal’s office said their investigation is just beginning.

“We’re at the initial stages of the investigation right now. We are here to determine the origin, the cause and the circumstances around this fire,” said Jim Demetriou, a spokesperson with Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal

Neighbours tell CHCH News the man who lived in the house was a long-term resident who was well-liked in the community.

Authorities say they’ll know more about the cause of death and cause of the fire once they get the results of a post mortem and the fire marshal’s investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 905-688 4111, option 3, ext. 1008877.

Tips can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.

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