A man is dead after a house fire on Queen Street in the Hespeler area early Thursday.
A family of three — a husband, his wife and eight-year-old daughter — escaped the blaze at their home but a friend who lived in the basement died.
The family of three was not injured.
Waterloo Regional Police and the Ontario Fire Marshal continue to investigate but would not release any information on how the man died.
Next of kin are still being contacted.
Platoon Chief Dave Mawdsley said Cambridge fire crews were called to 148 Queen St. E. at about 1:30 a.m.
Fire Chief Neil Main said heavy smoke was coming from the second floor of the raised bungalow and flames from the first floor when firefighters arrived.
About 23 firefighters were on scene throughout the night and into the morning.
Main said it's unclear what caused of the fire but initial damage is estimated at about $300,000.
"It's a total loss through the basement, the main floor and through the roof," he said.
Ross Nichols, fire marshal with the Ontario Fire Marshal, said smoke alarms were in working order at the house.
"Witnesses did hear the smoke alarm which is very important for early warning," he said.
Queen Street East between Hungerford Road and Panabaker Street was still closed at lunch time.
Link to original article in Waterloo Region Record: One person dead after house fire in Hespeler area of Cambridge