Homicide, arson investigation underway after overnight fire in St. Thomas
The person who died had injuries unrelated to the fire, which is now being treated as arson
St. Thomas Police have launched a homicide and arson investigation after an early morning fire, police said Wednesday.
The fire happened just after midnight in the area of Hiawatha and Curtis streets, near the city's downtown area, according to the St. Thomas Police Service (STPS).
After several calls from nearby residents came in around 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday, police found a woman outside the home who was suffering from life-threatening injuries that were unrelated to the fire, police said.
The victim succumbed to those injuries after being taken to a local hospital by paramedics.
The damaged building at 20 Hiawatha St. had multiple other tenants, none of whom were injured, according to STPS spokesperson Samantha Wakefield.
"Victim Services Elgin has been contacted for those other residents, so they've been connected to services and have been temporarily housed," said Wakefield.
While police investigate, there will continue to be road closures in the area surrounding the site of the fire, including on Talbot, Hiawatha, Scott, Curtis and Mary streets, as well as some in the surrounding areas, Wakefield added.
"Those closures will be in place into the overnight hours," she said.
Any updates will be provided as they become available, said Wakefield.
Police are asking anyone who may have been in the area at the time, or who has video surveillance of the area, to contact them.