The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) can now confirm that an early morning fire (6:04 a.m.) at a retirement residence has claimed the lives of two residents. Eleven more residents have fire-related injuries and remain in hospital. The fire occurred at 327 Old Muskoka Road in Orillia.

Approximately 40 firefighters with the City of Orillia and Severn Township continue to fight the fire. Currently, OFM investigative staff is on scene with the Office of the Coroner and Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). The OFM is in the preliminary phase of its investigation.

The retirement residence was home to 24 residents.
 

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“This is an extremely tragic fire because it occurred in one of Ontario’s most vulnerable occupancies,” said Ontario Fire Marshal Pat Burke. “This fire has been overwhelming to the fire service, the families and the community. The OFM has already begun a comprehensive investigation into the fire. We want to look at ways to prevent this from ever happening again.”

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