2 Ont. volunteer firefighters die in blaze
Men found dead inside burning building in Listowel in southwestern Ontario
Two volunteer firefighters died Thursday while battling a blaze at a store in Listowel, Ont.
The firefighters were noticed to be missing as the Listowel Volunteer Fire Department fought the afternoon fire at a Dollar Store in the southwestern Ontario community, located about 160 kilometres from Toronto.
Provincial police said a search of the building revealed that two firefighters had succumbed to injuries sustained while fighting the fire.
Police and Listowel's mayor identified the firefighters as Raymond Walter, 30, from Listowel, and Kenneth Rea, 56, from Atwood.
The Ontario Fire Marshal's office is investigating and a spokesman for the North Perth Fire Service said he could not comment on the deaths.
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty released a statement Thursday night expressing condolences to family members, friends and colleagues of the firefighters.
"I was saddened to learn today of the death of two volunteer firefighters in Listowel," McGuinty said.
"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."