Smoke detector 'disabled' in weekend fire where dog found dead

The investigation into a weekend house fire continues, says Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services.

Deputy chief Paul Milosevich, of Sault Ste. Marie Fire Service's inspection division, said a first-floor smoke alarm was ‘disabled’ and no basement alarm was discovered during the initial investigation.

In Ontario, every home must have working smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. 

Milosevich said the fire started in the basement and most fire damage was confined to that level of the house.

The first floor received smoke damage and two people in the house showed symptoms of smoke inhalation.

One was sent to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

“Working smoke alarms make a difference,” said Milosevich.

The remains of a dog were discovered during the initial investigation, immediately after the fire on Sunday.

Another family pet, a cat, has still not been located.

An investigator from the office of the Ontario Fire Marshal was on scene Monday and Tuesday.

At this time, the cause of the fire is undetermined.

Two times every year — once in the fall and once in the spring — fire services remind residents to to ensure their smoke detectors are working.

“When you’re changing the clocks make sure you are changing your smoke alarm batteries,” said Milosevich.