FD: One person unaccounted for after blaze on Georgian Bay property

The aftermath of an explosion in Penetanguishene on May 23, 2026 (Oscar Soriano)

The Georgian Bay Fire Department says one person is unanncounted for following an explosive fire in Penetanguishene.

Emergency crews were called to a large fire at a property in the area late Saturday night that has since become a police and Ontario Fire Marshal (OFM) investigation.

The incident

According to Penetanguishene’s fire department, multiple 911 calls came in at around 11 p.m. for a fire at a property on Champlain Road near the Our Lady of the Rosary Mission church.

Jamie MacNeil, the town’s fire chief, told CTV News it was a fully involved structure fire, and they implemented a defensive response with mutual aid from Midland, Tay Township and Tiny Township. Southern Georgian Bay OPP said the home was ‘fully engulfed in flames’ when officers arrived.

The fire was eventually brought under control with a total of nearly 40 firefighters and 14 apparatus involved in the response.

The residential part of the property is connected to a retail part of it. MacNeil said firefighters were able to preserve the retail side, but the residential side was a total loss. He was unable to confirm whether there were any occupants or injuries.

The investigation

The OPP and OFM are now involved in the ongoing investigation.

“The scene is being secured by emergency services and will remain under investigation. Members of the OFM Office have been notified and will be attending to assist with determining the cause of the fire,” said Const. Aaron Coulter from Southern Georgian Bay OPP in a news release. “The Southern Georgian Bay OPP Crime Unit is continuing the investigation.”

The OFM arrived on scene Sunday afternoon.

MacNeil confirmed to CTV News on Monday that one person is unannounced for.

We will update this article as more information becomes available.