A man died Wednesday in an early-morning blaze in Markham at a suspected rooming house that fire officials were trying to shut down.
Firefighters arrived on the scene around 4 a.m. to find the house engulfed in flames on Steeles Avenue east of Yonge Street.
The victim, discovered in a second floor bedroom, has been identified by tenants as the 35-year-old landlord.
The identity of the victim has not been confirmed by police or fire officials.
Markham Fire Chief Don McClean told CTV News the rooming house is the subject of a previous investigation.
Fire officials have visited the home more than 10 times in the past.
Authorities first launched court proceedings against the owners in September 2006 because the home is listed as a single-family dwelling and not a rooming house.
To designate a home as a rooming house, the owner's must provide extra safety measures than those required for a family dwelling.
"It was not intended to be used as a rooming house; it was not qualified to be used as a rooming house," McClean said on Wednesday at the scene.
"In the past when we have been in there we have actually installed several smoke alarms to make sure that if there were people in there at least they would have that protection."
The owner was previously charged with numerous offences including:
- Failure to provide fire separation materials like extra drywall and fire proofing
- Failure to provide two exits from the basement
- Failure to provide fire extinguishers and exit signs
The case was expected to go back to court next month.
During the time of the fire, three people were found to be living in the residence.
The Fire Marshal's Office is now investigating.
With a report from CTV's John Musselman
