Man found dead at scene of Saturday night fire
Man discovered dead in main floor bathroom in Connaught Street house fire
The Office of the Chief Coroner, the Regina Fire Department and the Regina Police Service are investigating after a man died at the scene of a house fire Saturday night.
According to information from the fire department, fire crews were called at 11:02 p.m. to a residence at 1729 Connaught St. for a report of a fire. EMS and the Regina Police Service also attended.
Fire department Deputy Chief Steve Bagley said a passerby reported having seen smoke coming from the house. Fire crews attended and found the man, already deceased, in a main floor bathroom. The fire itself was in the basement of the house.
While firefighters dealt with the fire, EMS attended to the man who, according to information from city police, had suffered burns.
The coroner’s office will investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s death while the fire department will look into the cause and origin of the fire. Police will investigate whether there is any criminal aspect to the case.
The man’s name was not released as police were notifying next of kin.
According to next-door neighbours who moved in recently, the home’s resident was an older man whom they described as friendly, helpful and happy to chat. The neighbours, who did not want to provide their names, said the man was retired and was something of a “neighbourhood watchman.”
Few other details were released as the investigation is ongoing, although Bagley confirmed a smoke detector in the house was found to be non-operational.
Police are asking that anyone with information contact the Regina Police Service at 306-7776500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477.
This is the second Regina house fire this month that involved a death. A woman died on Feb. 1 at a residence on the 2900 block of 7th Avenue.