Brighton house fire a homicide: OPP
BRIGHTON - A homicide investigation has been launched into a house fire that killed a couple in Brighton, about 60 kilometres southeast of Peterborough, last week.
On Wednesday, a single detached house on Harbour Street caught fire and was fully engulfed by the time first responders arrived around 7:22 a.m.
Louise Earle, 62, and Wayne Earle, 67, were found dead inside.
Northumberland OPP said Monday that investigators have determined the fire was a result of a homicide
“Police further advise that there is no public safety concern at this time,” Const. Steve Bates said.
The Northumberland OPP crime unit continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire.
Brighton fire department Chief Lloyd Hutchinson first arrived on the scene where he found a dwelling “fully involved” with flames breaking through the roof.
“The flames were so intense I couldn’t get in,” he said.
“We were informed by the neighbours there could be a possibility of people inside.”
Firefighters attacked the fire from the front and were able to knock it down within 30 minutes, the chief explained.
The couple’s neighbour Grant Fleming alerted authorities. He said he didn’t know the friendly couple beyond their first names and the fact they relocated as tenants from Brockville.
“I’m just literally shocked (by what has) happened,” he said.
Police say they will release further information to the public when it becomes available.
-- With files from John Campbell tmcewen@northumberlandnews.com
The flames were so intense I couldn’t get in. We were informed by the neighbours there could be a possibility of people inside.” Chief Lloyd Hutchinson