A huge fire in downtown Listowel claimed the lives of two firefighters.
Perth County OPP say flames hit the “Dollar Stop” around 3:30 PM on Thursday.
The Listowel volunteer fire department responded and a short time later two firefighters were missing.
A search of the structure revealed that two firefighters had succumbed to injuries sustained while fighting the fire.
The OPP and the town of Listowel Mayor Julie Behrns have identified the victims as 30-year-old Raymond Walter from Listowel and 56-year-old Kenneth Rea from Atwood.
The OPP continue to work with the Ontario Fire Marshalls office as they investigate the fatal fire.
Witnesses say the fire started on the roof of the building.
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty released a statement following the death of the two Listowel firefighters.
McGuinty says “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.”
