Ottawa Valley home destroyed in blaze, 1 person missing

A fast-moving fire spread through a single-family dwelling in the Ottawa Valley this morning, causing damage beyond repair and leading to one person unaccounted for.

At 5:18 a.m. crews got a call that a home on John Street in the small town of Eganville, Ont. was ablaze. A “fully-involved” fast-attack of the volunteer fire department was initiated, along with the Killaloe Ontario Provincial Police and paramedics.

Just before 6 a.m. police closed traffic to the street and were setting up barriers by 7:20 a.m.

There is one person “unaccounted for,” according to Bonnechere Valley Fire Department Chief Darryl Wagner.

“The fire was under control within an hour, but the home is a total loss,” he told CityNews in an interview.

It’s possible the open concept of the home contributed to the fire spreading quickly, Wagner said.

A photo of the home shows severe damage throughout with a few walls still standing. By 10:00 a.m. fire crews were still on scene.

“Respect the barriers in place and do not enter. You will be removed as it is an active scene,” the department said in a Facebook post.

Police have kept roads blocked on either side of the home throughout the day. By 3:30 p.m., Wagner said a fire marshal and police remain on scene, but firefighters are starting to be released.

Officials are asking for privacy as the family has been contacted.

Police are asking anyone with information surrounding this incident to contact the Killaloe OPP Detachment at 613-757-2600 or 1-(888)-310-1122.