Peel police investigating human remains discovered after Brampton house fire

Peel Regional Police say human remains were discovered at the site of a Brampton house fire Thursday afternoon, and officers are now conducting a criminal investigation.

Emergency crews were called to a residential fire in the area of Van Scott Drive and McLaughlin Road after 2 p.m.

Brampton Fire Chief Bill Boyes said the house was fully engulfed at the time firefighters arrived, and it spread to an adjacent house.

"I want to extend my sincerest condolences to everyone who has been impacted by this fire," Boyes said Friday at a news conference at the scene.

"Yesterday was an extremely difficult fire," he said. "Our firefighters were able to initiate an aggressive attack and extinguish the fire."

Police spokesperson Nik Chakravarthy could not specify how many bodies have been found, but said human remains were discovered at the site.

Fire crews at the scene of residential fire in the area of Van Scott Drive and McLaughlin Road after 2 p.m., where police say human remains were found. (BramptonFireES/X)

The Homicide and Missing Persons Unit has taken over the investigation and will work closely with the Ontario Fire Marshal and coroner's office to determine the cause of the fire, Chakravarthy said.

"Due to the extensive structural damage of the premise, the Ontario Fire Marshal's office did enlist the aid of an excavation contract to assist with the excavation," he said.

Anyone with information or any residents with dash cam or Ring doorbell footage is asked to contact police.