SUDBURY -- The Ontario Fire Marshal has been called to investigate an early morning fire in Mattawa on Wednesday that sent one person in hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Ontario Provincial Police say the fire happened around 4:15 a.m. at a multi-family structure on Mattawan Street in the town, located east of North Bay.
"We had one person that was injured in the fire and he has been transferred to hospital," said Mattawa Fire Chief Paul Lafreniere. "He’s being addressed and shipped out via air ambulance to the burn centre."
The local social services board has been called to find temporary housing for the 10 residents in the units next to the fire who have been displaced.
Lafreniere said the structural damage is severe, but firefighters were able to get residents out of the building safely with only the one injury.
The cause of the fire is unknown, he said.
“There was significant fire damage, as well as water damage," Lafreniere said. "So the fire marshal's office … will be attending here around noon today to do a preliminary investigation along with the OPP.
The fire marshal will begin that investigation later Wednesday. The street is closed to traffic while fire crews work at the scene.
