TORONTO — There is some new information on the fire that took the lives of two volunteer firefighters in Listowel, Ont., last month.


A preliminary report from the Office of the Fire Marshal says contractors had been repairing the roof of the building in the community northwest of Kitchener.

It says that led to the "ignition of the interior combustible components of the roof structure," causing the March 17 fire.

The report says crews responding to the fire saw no significant smoke or flame in the building so they went in to investigate and ensure no one was inside.

While they were inside, part of the lightweight wood roof suddenly collapsed, killing Ray Walter, 30, and Ken Rea, 56.

Ontario's fire marshal says the investigation is ongoing.

"The OFM will continue to conduct further research and analysis of the sequence of events surrounding this fire, to learn from this tragedy," Ted Wieclawek said in a release Wednesday. "We will, in the future, provide the fire service with additional information and increased knowledge to safely respond to similar fires," he said.

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