Four people escaped an early-morning house fire this morning on Matchedash Street South. However, a fifth person, a male, had to be rescued by firefighters, officials say.
Orillia Fire Chief Michael Clark said the male was found unconscious in the burning home.
Clark could not provide information on the man's condition, but noted paramedics immediately began to work on the man, who needed to be intubated.
"When crews arrived, the man's sister was screaming that her brother was inside," said Clark, noting the man was taken to Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital.
One of the others who "self-evacuated" the house also received burns to his arm.
There is "extensive damage" to the single-family home, Clark said, adding it was too early yet to have a damage estimate.
Clark said the fire appears to have started in a main-level bathroom, but noted the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal (OFM) has been called in to investigate. The OFM is typically called in to investigate fires in which there is a serious injury.
Clark said the call about the fire came in at 2:29 a.m. He said 14 firefighters were on scene until about 6:15 a.m.
We will have more on this story when more information is available.