Provincial police say a 21-year-old man has died following a house fire in Dorchester and they confirm they are looking into witness reports that a firecracker may have started the blaze.
The fire began sometime around 6 p.m. at 151 Oakwood Drive.
Three people were in the house at the time of the fire. One person was able to escape but the other two had to be rescued by fire crews.
Police say a 19-year-old female was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and another was transported with non-life threatening injuries.
The 21-year-old male was idenitifed as Ryan Parsons.
Neighbour Robert Lupa talked to the victim who was able to escape.
"And I saw one of the young fellows that rents there and I said, 'Where's Ryan? Where's Ryan?' And he's yelling, swearing, 'Where's the f-ing fire department?' And I said, 'Where's Ryan?' That's where I was concerned.
"He said, 'All I did was throw a firecracker at him.' Whatever that means. I don't know...and he was pretty distraught."
Lupa said he was also distraught. "I wish I could have made the outcome better than it is. But like as they said to me, 'No sense going in there and we dont want to find you in there.'"
The Fire Marshal's Office and the OPP crime division continue to investigate.
