Crematorium fire started in chimney

Damage to Innisfil building estimated to be at least $4M

The Christmas Eve fire that burned down an Innsifil crematorium with more than a dozen dead bodies inside started in the building’s chimney, according to investigators.

“It was caused by a chimney fire and the fire got quickly into the roof,” Innisfil fire Chief Jon Pegg told the Star Friday afternoon.

Firefighters responded to a fire at Innisvale Cemetery and Crematorium early on the morning of Dec. 24. At the time, there were14 cadavers in the building, all of which were recovered in good condition, said Pegg. Two staff members who were inside also escaped unharmed.

“Once we realized there were multiple bodies inside the structure, we protected the area we knew they were in as best we could,” said Pegg. “We didn’t go into aggressive fire fighting in that area because we didn’t want to cause a lot of water damage and cause a lot of collapse.”

The bodies were transported to other funeral homes within a day, said Nicole McNaughton, general manager of Innsivale Cemetery and Crematorium.

“Everyone came out safe and pretty much in the same condition that they went in,” she said, adding the crematorium has previously housed “a lot more” than 14 bodies at one time.

Speaking from the parking lot Friday, McNaughton watched as fire investigators demolished the building.

“It’s a complete loss,” she said, estimating the damage to be at least $4 million. Staff are still hoping to recover documents, including burial and cremation permits, from inside.

Although the situation has been difficult, “we will rebuild and we will rise above,” McNaughton said.

Pegg said the crematorium is held to strict fire-code standards but that there may have been a breach in the chimney.

A complete analysis of the chimney could take months, he said.

McNaughton said the cemetery was untouched and is still available for burials. It’s uncertain what will happen to staff members, including four full-time employees and two seasonal workers, but she said there is plenty of administrative work to be done.