Ontario's Special Investigations Unit is probing a fatal fire involving officers who were trying to save the person inside.
It's unclear exactly what transpired, but Windsor police were on the scene at around the same time the fire started at 1022 Ford Blvd.
"We got the call as a situation. That's all I can basically say at this time," says Windsor police Staff Sgt. Matt D'Asti. "I know when they arrived on scene there was an active fire here."
Emergency officials respond to a fire at 1022 Ford Blvd., June 21, 2016. (Photo by Jason Viau)
Firefighters got the call at around 4am Tuesday.
"Three police officers attempted to rescue the occupant," says Fire Prevention Officer John Lee.
Those officers were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation, treated and released. We're told they're "doing well."
Three investigators and one forensic analyst for the SIU have taken over the case. They have identified one "subject officer" and two witness officers.
They say there was a brief police interaction with the man inside the house.
A 47-year-old resident inside died of his injuries. Windsor fire says two people live in the house, but the deceased was the only person home at the time of the blaze. No further information about the victim has been released.
The incident is still under investigation, but isn't being treated as suspicious. A cause is still unknown at this point.
Lee says there were reports of an explosion, but he believes that may have been aerosol cans in the garage.
In addition to the SIU, the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office is also doing a parallel investigation. The SIU investigates incidents involving police and civilians that result in serious injury, death or allegations of sexual assault.
A preliminary damage estimate by Windsor fire estimates the blaze caused $320,000 to the garage, house and adjacent home.
