FOG BLOG CANADA NEWS LOG: HOUSE FIRE IN MISSISSAUGA KILLS 2 PEOPLE, PEEL POLICE - FIRE SUSPICIOUS!

Mississauga house fire claims 2 lives Peel police takes over investigation Saturday afternoon, citing potentially 'suspicious' circumstances An early morning fire west of Toronto has claimed the lives of two people.

Fire crews were called to a home in Mississauga, near the intersection of Heatherleigh Avenue and Preston Manor Drive shortly after 1 a.m. after a resident in a semi-detached home reported smelling smoke.

Peel police have taken over the investigation as of Saturday afternoon.

"There is reason to believe that the circumstances surrounding it may be suspicious," Const. Sarah Patten told CBC Toronto.

When firefighters arrived, they determined the smoke was coming from the adjoining unit.

A one-alarm blaze was discovered in the basement of the home.

Peel deputy fire chief Rob Grimwood said firefighters forced their way into the basement unit and quickly located two victims, both of whom were pronounced dead at the scene. He said he couldn't yet identify the pair, but that they had suffered from both burns and smoke inhalation.

Grimwood reminded the public that November and December are particularly deadly months for fires, likely a result of increased heating, use of candles, and Christmas lighting.

"The most important thing is that people have a working smoke alarm and practice a home escape plan," he said. "People have a lot less time to escape a fire than they think."

The Office of the Fire Marshal has been notified, and an investigation has been opened by Mississauga Fire to determine the cause of the blaze.