One person dead in Westport, Ont. house fire

WESTPORT, Ont. -

One person is dead after a house fire in Rideau Lakes Township.

The fire at the home on Concession Road 9 in Westport, Ont. started around 9:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Emergency crews found one body in the home after the blaze was extinguished. Two firefighters were injured while fighting the fire.

Police haven’t released the name or age of the person who died.

A small tribute of flowers and stuffed animals was placed outside the home Wednesday afternoon.

"Wow, just couldn't imagine," said a woman outside the home.

As news spread through the small community, neighbours came by to pay their respects.

"They lose their home, they lose everything," said a woman. "Their life, pictures. You just can't imagine. Just awful."

The OPP are investigating along with the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office, Chief Coroner for Ontario and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

"The initial reports is that there were heavy conditions and there was a child was unaccounted for inside the home," said Rideau Lakes Fire Chief Scott Granahan.

Firefighters trying to rescue the child from the heavy smoke and flames became trapped themselves.

"A section of the ceiling collapsed, striking and trapping two of our firefighters," said Granaham. "They were rescued by other firefighters and taken to hospital."

The firefighters were not seriously injured.

More than 30 firefighters from Rideau Lakes and neighbouring townships were on the scene through the night dealing with the fire.

A spokesman for the Fire Marshal's Office said it's too early to determine whether the fire is being considered suspicious.

Westport is about 120 kilometres southwest of Ottawa.