Man dead, another hospitalized after downtown St. Catharines house fire

One man is dead and another is seriously injured after a house fire at a triplex near downtown St. Catharines, according to local police and fire departments.

Officers say a 59-year-old man was brought to the hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries.

The St. Catharines Fire Department says they got the call about a fire at the corner of Haynes Avenue and Erie Street at around 8:42 p.m. Sunday.

The fire chief says two other males were in the home, one was brought to the hospital with serious injures and the other self-evacuated.

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Residents next to the unit are still in shock after learning a neighbour died from the fire.

“I went outside and I saw like the thing coming out of the ceiling — I thought it was like ‘damn this is crazy’ and he was still there,” said Katherine Caicedo, someone who lives in the neighbourhood.

“It’s unfortunate that somebody had to pass away, that’s the sad sad part,” said Nick Marrone, someone else who lives next to the house that caught fire.

Niagara police are continuing to investigate the fire and have held the scene overnight.

The fire department says an early estimate of the damages is around $500,000.

“We have assigned investigators to the scene who have begun the process to determine the cause, origin, and circumstance of the fire but at this time, the investigation is ongoing and we will have further information as it develops,” said a spokesperson from the Office of the Fire Marshal.

Police were in the area Sunday evening for an unrelated matter and say they arrested a man for mischief but confirm the fire and arrest are not related.

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