Woman dead, 2 children in hospital after Wainfleet house fire

Niagara police say a 78-year-old woman has died and two children are in hospital following a house fire in Wainfleet, Ont. on Thursday night.

Emergency crews responded around 8 p.m. for a report of a fire at a home located at 63018 Perry Rd.

First responders were met with heavy smoke when they arrived at the home that was fully engulfed in flames.

Officers say the five and seven-year-old children were able to escape, however, the elderly woman did not and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Paramedics transported the kids to an out-of-town hospital for smoke inhalation. They remain there in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police and the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal are investigating the cause of the fire. The Chief Coroner of Ontario is investigating the cause of death.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the lead detective at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1008980.

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