Tuesday, February 20, 2007

FATHER AND SON IDENTIFIED AS VICTIMS IN FATAL FIRE
Heyden, Ont., A father and son have been identified as the two victims in a fatal house fire in Heyden on Monday morning.

At about 1:15 a.m. on Monday 19 Feb 2007 neighbours on Willa Drive in Heyden were awakened by the sounds of a house on fire. Gallant efforts by neighbours to gain entry to the home in hopes of rescuing the two victims were unsuccessful due to extreme heat, flames and smoke.

Late this afternoon a forensic examination of the two victims was completed and has revealed that they were a father and son who lived in the home.

Dead are forty seven (47) year old Wayne Clifford MARSHALL and his son, eighteen(18) year old John Wayne MARSHALL both of 6 Willa Drive in Heyden.

A crane was brought into the fire scene yesterday to remove some of the debris. Today a front end loader is on site to assist investigators in their search of the ruins.

Investigators from the Office of the Fire Marshal and the OPP will return to the scene and spend the next few days attempting to determine how the fire started. OPP officers from the Sault Ste Marie Detachment will remain at the scene around the clock until the Fire Marshal’s scene investigation is completed.

FATAL FIRE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

Heyden, Ont.,

The investigation into a fatal house fire in Heyden that took the lives of two people continues today.

This morning at about 1:15 a.m. the next door neighbour awoke to the sound of the house next to him on fire. The neighbour tried to gain entry to the home but the intense heat, flames and smoke forced him back.

An investigator with the Office of the Fire Marshal arrived on the scene early this afternoon. Officers with the OPP Forensic Identification Unit, Sault Ste Marie OPP Crime Unit and the Fire Marshal’s office are continuing their investigation this afternoon.

Investigators at the scene indicate that a forensic examination of the bodies will have to be done in order to positively identify the remains of the two victims. It is expected that the examination may take place sometime tomorrow. No further information on the two victims is available until the conclusion of the forensic examination and next of kin are notified.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR FATAL FIRE SCENE EXAMINATION

Heyden, Ont.,

The examination of a fatal fire scene in Heyden, north of Sault Ste Marie, is continuing today.

Late yesterday afternoon a crane was brought to the fire scene to assist in the removal of the some of the wreckage. An Inspector with the Office of the Fire Marshal, members of the OPP Forensic Identification Unit and the OPP Crime Unit are returning to the scene today to continue to investigate the cause of the fatal fire.

It is expected that autopsy will be performed later today on the two bodies that were found at the fire scene. A forensic examination will be necessary to determine the identity of the bodies that were found by firefighters.

Further details will be released as they become available.

WHAT ARE FRIENDS FOR ??

Goulais River, Ont.,

Sault Ste Marie OPP had a little help recovering a snow machine that was stolen from the city in January.

Late yesterday afternoon a friend of the owner was traveling on Havilland Shores Drive in Goulais River. He noticed a snow machine that looked exactly like the one that was stolen from his buddies’ house about a month ago. The machine was parked in the front yard of a home on Havilland Shores Drive. Closer examination of the machine revealed a few modifications that were the exclusive work of the original owner.

The friend questioned the occupants of the home and then called police. Police attended the home and seized a 1997 Ski-Doo that was stolen from the Elliot Road area of Sault Ste Marie in January of this year.

Charges are expected to be laid.


JOINT SNOW MACHINE PATROLS FINDS LOTS OF VIOLATIONS

Goulais River, Ont.,

A joint snow machine patrol with MNR Conservation Officers and the OPP Traffic and Marine Unit over the weekend obviously caught several people by surprise.

The joint patrols checked fifty four snow machines and laid sixteen charges for a variety of infractions.

Eight people were charged with offences under the Ontario Fisheries Regulations for not having a fishing licence, too many lines, and using live bait in prohibited lakes.

Four people were charged with having liquor in a place other than a residence or licenced premise. Four more people were charged with infractions under the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act.


ALWAYS SOMETHING DIFFERENT AT R.I.D.E. CHECKS

Batchewana First Nation, Ont.,

A joint R.I.D.E. check on the Batchewana First Nation over the weekend resulted in one pedestrian being arrested for an alcohol offence.

On Saturday morning at about 2:30 a.m. officers with the Batchewana First Nation Police, the Anishinabek Police and the Sault Ste Marie OPP were conducting a R.I.D.E. check on Frontenac Street on the Batchewana First Nation.

A pedestrian purposely approached the spot check and when asked if she needed assistance she became verbally abusive with officers. She pushed one of the officers and was arrested.

Nineteen year old Reba Stevens of Gran Street on the Batchewana First Nation was charged with being Drunk in a Public Place. She was held in custody overnight and released in the morning.