Two firefighters die in Listowel, Ont. blaze
Posted Mar 18, 2011 12:21:59 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
LISTOWEL, Ont. – Two volunteer firefighters have died following a fire at a dollar store in Listowel, a town of approximately 6,000 in southwestern Ontario, just north of Stratford.
Firefighters were called to the store around 3:30 Thursday afternoon. A short time after they arrived, two firefighters battling the blaze went missing.
They were later found inside the building, and had succumbed to their injuries while on the scene.
They have been identified as Raymond Walter, 30, of Listowel and Kenneth Rea, 56, of Atwood, Ont.
The Ontario Fire Marshal’s office has been called in to investigate. Roads in the area remain closed to traffic.
The following is a statement from Premier Dalton McGuinty:
“I was saddened to learn today of the death of two volunteer firefighters in Listowel. On behalf of all Ontarians, I would like to express my condolences to the family and friends and colleagues of these two brave men.
They put their own lives at risk in order to protect their communities, just as firefighters do every day across Ontario.
Our volunteer firefighters take time away from their families to keep us safe. We rely on their selflessness, and today’s tragedy is a solemn reminder that we must never take their sacrifices for granted.”
