One dead in 'multiple' house fires near Cornwall, Ont.

One person is dead after a fire damaged several homes near Cornwall, Ont.

"A bomb, that's what it felt like," Ron Lamarche said.

Ontario Provincial Police and emergency services personnel responded to reports of several fires at residences on Malibu Lane in South Glengarry Township, about 17 kilometres east of Cornwall, at approximately 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

 "It sounded and felt like a bomb because the house shook and it vibrated and you could feel the shockwave from the blast," Lamarche told CTV News Ottawa. "I went to look outside and all I saw was a huge ball of fire, almost the size of a house."

Judy Brabrant said the flames were "very big."

"We heard an explosion and then another one; it shook our house."

Officials say two homes were completely destroyed and one partially destroyed by the fire. More than 10 residences were evacuated because of the fire, according to the OPP.

The chief of the Cornwall paramedics told CTV News Ottawa that one person died at the scene. 

Multiple house fires were reported on Malibu Lane near Cornwall, Ont. (CTV News Ottawa)

In a media release Thursday afternoon, Ontario Provincial Police said human remains were located at a home in the area. No other information was released.

"The Township of South Glengarry is providing support for families that have been displaced by the fires,' the OPP said.

"The township has also set up a family reunification centre at Paul Rozon Memorial Park."

There are no details at this time on the cause of the fires. 

Police say road closures will remain in place as the investigation is ongoing.

With files from CTV News Ottawa's Dylan Dyson

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