1 dead after house fire in Beacon Heights

Police are investigating after a person was found dead at the scene of a fire in north Edmonton’s Beacon Heights neighbourhood early Tuesday morning.

The Edmonton Police Service is treating the fire as suspicious.

Edmonton Fire Rescue says crews were called to a home at 37 Street and 121 Avenue shortly before 2:30 a.m.

“When I went around back, I could see the whole back of the house, just orange, was engulfed at that point,” said a neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons.

Three people got out of the home safely and were treated at the scene, Edmonton Fire said.

The fire was deemed under control at 3:41 a.m. and ruled out at 4:25 a.m.

Edmonton police say firefighters found the body in the basement after extinguishing the blaze. An autopsy has yet to be scheduled.

The neighbour told CityNews they have been left feeling uneasy about the events on their street.

“Oh I’m just totally unnerved about it all,” they said. “I grew up here actually, riding my bike on this street and going down to the elementary school there.

“I can’t imagine the people who live right next door, the one told me he put up cameras he’s had so much trouble.”

The home was taped off Tuesday afternoon as EPS homicide police investigate with help from EFRS arson investigators.

–With files from Christine O’Loughlin, CityNews