The province’s Fire Marshal has officially released the cause of a fire in Listowel last March that claimed the lives of two North Perth firefighters.
After a probe lasting more than seven months it’s been found that a propane torch used by two workers on the roof of the Dollar Shop on Main Street sparked the blaze that killed Raymond Walter and Ken Rea.
The Fire Marshal says the flames apparently had been burning for some time between the roof and the suspended ceiling even though only light smoke was visible to arriving fire crews.
Firefighters had been inside the building for only a short time when the ceiling fell in — trapping Rea and Walter.
Rescue efforts by fellow firefighters were hampered by flames and thick smoke.
