Fatal House Fire in St. Catharines Under Investigation
On Sunday, November 8, 2026, at approximately 7:45 a.m., uniform officers with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) responded, along with St. Catharines Fire and Emergency Services, to a report of a house fire on Merritt Street near Ball Avenue West in St. Catharines.
The house was found to have a large working fire in the interior of the home. The 81-year-old male owner of the home was able to escape the fire and was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. The owner’s son, a 54-year-old St. Catharines male, was located within the home without vital signs by St. Catharines Fire and Emergency Services. Despite lifesaving efforts, sadly the male was pronounced deceased on scene. Two dogs also perished in the fire.
The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) was called in to investigate the cause and origin of the fire while detectives with the 1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) investigate the circumstances surrounding the cause of death. The exact cause of the fire is currently still being investigated by the OFM, however, neither the cause of the fire nor the cause of death in this incident appear to be suspicious at this time. Damages are estimated to be over $100,000.
Both the OFM and 1 District CIB would like to speak to any witnesses or to anyone who may have video footage of the incident.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service’s 1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009865.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact the NRPS tip line at 289-248-1058.
NRPS Incident 26-141284