Four feared dead in cottage blaze near Peterborough

Of the four people feared dead in a cottage fire near Peterborough, Karl Kustor said, “They were a lovely family.”

Volunteer firefighters of DouroDummer Township first responded to the fire on Hamilton Dr. N. in the McCracken’s Landing area of Stoney Lake just after 4 a.m. on Christmas Eve.

There they found the remains of two residents and their two dogs, said Ontario Provincial Police spokesperson Const. Jason Folz.

Media reports identified one of the victims as Geoff Taber. He was a lawyer at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP in downtown Toronto, according to a profile on the Law Society of Upper Canada.

“He was an amazing guy, and they were an amazing family,” said one friend who did not want to be named.

“We’re shocked and saddened. It’s devastating for this community, especially at this time of year,” said Catherine Nelson, senior warden at St. Peter’s on-the-Rock Church, near the cottage. “We cannot believe something like this has happened.” The other remains found are thought to be that of Taber’s spouse. Two other members of the family are still unaccounted for, but presumed dead.

“The structure has collapsed into the basement and the fire marshal is there now looking through the debris,” Folz said on Sunday. “Nothing is left of the residence.”

Kustor, who owns the nearby Harbour Town marina complex on Stoney Lake and knew the family well, described the 4,000-square-foot cottage as “a beautiful home, made all of timber.”

He said the family lived in Toronto, frequently visited for Christmas and spent most of their summers there.