Breaking News – Video – Breaking News – OFM Unable to Determine Cause of Fatal Fire in Colborne
The Office of the Fire Marshal was unable to determine the cause of a fatal fire at a Northumberland County Housing Corporation Housing apartment complex.
The fire was reported shortly after 4 a.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 8 King Street West in Colborne.
When fire crews arrived, flames were coming from the roof area and also on the west side of the building that had approximately 20 apartment units in the two storey building.
Cramahe Township Fire Department were dispatched for fire alarms sounding, but shortly after were told that smoke was inside the building.
When fire crews arrived on scene, there were visible flames coming from the roof and west side of the building, but attempted a “primary search” for occupants. A short time later as the ceiling was compromised and firefighters had to battle the flames from the outside of the building.
Cramahe Township Fire Chief Matt Halmasy told Today’s Northumberland shortly before 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026 that the Office of the Fire Marshal and OPP had left the scene and turned the property over to the County of Northumberland.
“The OFM was unable to make a cause determination because of the extent of damage to the building. So there really wasn’t much evidence they could go by to try and determine what was the cause.”
Halmasy said when fire crews arrived on scene, “there was a lot going on in this fire. There was a lot of chaos. It could have been far, far worse.”
The victims son met firefighters outside when they arrived and indicated his mother was still inside, but as hard as firefighters tried to get to the apartment, the flames drove them back.
“We knew there was a possibility of people in the building so we had crews go into the second floor where we knew where the fire was to try and go in as far as they could. They made it about half way down (the hall). I believe they were able to complete maybe two or three of the apartments on that floor before the fire and heat just pushed them out.”
“We were very fortunate that we were able to get as many people out as possible.”
When fire crews arrived, even though the alarms were sounding to alert residents, two people were rescued from the second storey balcony.
“So they were still in the building when we arrived, and the fire was well advanced at that point.”
“When we got here there was a lot of chaos.”
Halmasy said it was tragic that one person died in the fire, but with the amount of occupants in the complex, “it could have been far, far worse.”
It’s common for complexes that have fire alarms on a regular basis that residents disregard the alarm.
“There is a lot of buildings where you got a lot of false alarms and I think some of the tenants become complacent.”
Halmasy said he doesn’t believe that is what happened to the fire in Colborne, but wants to emphasize, “when you hear alarm just assume there is a fire and exit the building.”
Halmasy said when word spread about the fire it was a “tremendous outpouring” from the community.
“A lot of phone calls were coming in for whatever we needed. Places to stay, food, clothing, it was pretty amazing.”
Update – Video – Photo Gallery – Investigators Discover Body Found at Colborne Fire Scene
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love