The owner of the home at the corner of Forks and Deeks and roads, David Justus, died of smoke inhalation and exposure of high levels of carbon monoxide. The 45-year-old lived alone in the house.

Police and the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office continue to investigate the fire which broke out early Sunday morning,

Members of Wainfleet’s volunteer fire department responded to the call which came in at 8:53 a.m. Nov. 2. Shortly after, firefighters arrived on scene to find a detached bungalow fully engulfed in flames, said Wainfleet Fire Chief Chris Cole.

The fire department called for back up from nearby Pelham and Port Colborne.

It took about four hours to contain the blaze, said Cole. Firefighters had to fight the flames from outside the home, as it was not structurally safe to enter.

By the time the fire was extinguished, there was little left of the home, Cole said. The home and contents were “completely destroyed” according to a Niagara Regional Police press release.

Cole confirmed the fatality Monday morning, although officials were unable to enter the house until later that afternoon.

“There was a fatality and that’s all I can say,” Cole told The Leader. “The investigation is ongoing and there isn’t much more I can say at this point.”

Police cordoned off entrance to Deeks Road from Forks Road to assist officers in the investigation,

Shortly after 4 p.m. Monday, after an engineer deemed it safe, officials gained entry to the house. Excavation equipment was used to secure the premises before officials could enter.

At that time officials located the body and sent it to Hamilton General Hospital for a post-mortem.

The deceased was identified as 45-year-old Justus.

Officials have not yet identified the cause of the fire and the investigation is ongoing

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 905-688-4111 ext. 3345. Anonymous tips can be made through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers can also be accessed online at www.crimestoppersofniagara.com or through mobile texting to CRIMES (274637) with the text reading tip309.