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Criminal charge laid in fatal Kawartha Lakes fire

Investigation into circumstances surrounding fire continues
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File photo

NEWS RELEASE

ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE

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(MARIPOSA TOWNSHIP) - On February 24, 2017 at approximately 4:30 p.m., members of the City of Kawartha Lakes Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a disturbance at a youth facility on Quaker Road, northwest of the Village of Oakwood. 

Upon arrival, police found the structure to be on fire and requested the assistance of the City of Kawartha La‎kes Fire and Rescue Service and the City of Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Service. The resulting fire left an occupant of the facility deceased.

The investigation into the death and the circumstances surrounding the fire is continuing by members of the City of Kawartha Lakes OPP and the City of Kawartha Lakes OPP Crime Unit under the direction of Detective Inspector Dave Robinson of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB). 

As a result, an arrest has been made and a youth, who cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice (YCJA), has been charged with Second Degree Murder. The youth has since been remanded into custody. 

Earlier today, a post mortem examination was conducted at the Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (OCC-OFPS) in Toronto and the deceased has been positively identified. 

In order to maintain the integrity of the investigation and to ensure the provisions of the YCJA are not compromised, the OPP will not be releasing the name, age or gender of the victim. 

‎Additional information will continue to be provided as it becomes available. 

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