One person died and two firefighters were injured as a result of a rural west end blaze last month that completely destroyed a small home on Town Line.
Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services, the Office of the Fire Marshal and Sault Ste. Marie Police Service have offered few details about the fire, which completely destroyed the home.
Through a Freedom of Information request, SooToday obtained details about the fire not previously shared by those services.
Firefighters were met with a large amount of fire and smoke billowing from a home when they responded to a 911 call before 10 a.m. on Feb. 2 in the 700-block of Town Line.
Two firefighters attempted to gain entry to the building shortly after arrival, but only made it four or five feet inside due to high heat and poor visibility before they exited.
According to an incident report, Sault police informed firefighters at the time that there was a 'high likelihood' someone was inside the structure at the time of the fire.
The report confirmed one person died in the fire.
Upon arrival to the fire, Capt. Robert Shaughnessy's crew of four was tasked with clearing a nearby fire hydrant.
"By the time we arrived on scene, the fire had progressed to a deep seated fire and was burning in several areas throughout the home," Shaughnessy said in the report.
Crews were advised to stand back while fighting the fire, as large sheets of ice and snow were sliding off the metal roof.
Capt. Peter Fewchuk noted in his report that firefighters moved to a defensive attack, meaning no firefighters would be inside the structure.
One of the exterior walls bowed out during the fire and the roof collapsed inside the structure.
In total, 29 firefighters responded to the fire. Two firefighters were reported injured as a result of the blaze — one with a foot injury and another with an injury to their hand.
An excavator was requested to assist with removing pieces of the house to aide with extinguishment and for locating a potential victim, noted Capt. Nathan Hanes in his report.
"It proved extremely useful as the operator was able to pull off the metal roof and tear down the walls in quick order," Hanes said.
Capt. Jim Gould said in his report when OFM investigator James Allan arrived on scene, debris was methodically removed using the excavator.
"We sifted through each bucket as it was spread across the snow. We also kept our eyes on the inside as each bucket was removed," Gould said.
If a body was found, excavation was to cease immediately, firefighters were told.
Another crew, led by Capt. Richard Bishop, continued clearing the debris.
"We were able to completely clear the house (foundation) of debris but were unable to find the missing woman. Once the excavator had reached as much as it could, we dug the corners by shovel," Bishop said.
Sault police remained on scene after firefighters left the scene at about 6 p.m. on Feb. 3, the day after the fire began.
The forensics van was observed on Feb. 4 as well as police using a drone over the scene.
Sault Police assisted the Coroner’s Office in the investigation.
"Sault Fire Services has not notified the Sault Police that there is criminality involved so this remains a Sault Fire Services investigation," said Lincoln Louttit, manager of corporate communications at the Sault Police Service.