Fatal house fire under investigation in Sandy Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario

Police are investigating a fatal house fire in Sandy Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario.

The Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) say they received a report at the First Nation's detachment Tuesday afternoon about a house fire near the community's northern shore.

When police arrived on scene, they found the home completely engulfed in flames.

Sandy Lake First Nation is a remote Oji-Cree community, located about 225 kilometres northeast of Red Lake near the Manitoba border. More than 2,600 people live there.

"Community firefighters also arrived on scene and worked to extinguish the blaze," NAPS said in a news release issued Thursday afternoon.

Police say two people escaped from the home and were transported to the nursing station for treatment. Their injuries are believed to be non-life threatening. Meanwhile, a third occupant of the home was unaccounted for the day the incident occurred.

On Wednesday, human remains were located at the scene.

"Investigators, with the assistance of the Coroner's Office, are now working toward identifying the deceased," NAPS said.

The investigation remains ongoing.