According to Brampton fire officials, firefighters pulled Andrew Rooyakkers from a burning garage at 38 Carter Dr., in the Williams Parkway and Kennedy Road area. He was later pronounced dead.

His death was the result of smoke inhalation, according to Peel police.

Brampton Fire Services were called to the home at about 6 p.m. According to fire officials, the semi-detached home had been converted into three apartment units.

Rooyakkers was living in the converted single-car garage where investigators believe the fire originated, said Gary Jarrett, an investigator with Brampton Fire Services.

The Ontario Fire Marshal's Office and Brampton Fire Services have both concluded the blaze started accidentally, Jarrett said. "We suspect an electrical failure," he explained.

Conversion of the garage to a bachelor apartment contravened city bylaws and the Ontario Fire Code, Jarrett said. "Charges are pending," he added.

The property owner, who does not live in the house, could be facing a maximum fine of $50,000 and/or a year in jail.

The fire was contained to the garage where Rooyakkers lived alone, according to authorities. No one else was injured in the fire that destroyed the garage and caused $40,000 damage to the building and $10,000 damage to contents.

"There did not appear to be a functioning smoke alarm (in the garage)," Jarrett noted.

Brampton Fire Services responded with seven front line firefighting vehicles and 26 personnel.

Two adults and two children live in the home's upstairs apartment and two adults and a 20-month-old baby reside in the basement, a fire department report indicated. Other residents at home at the time of the fire escaped without injury.

Illegal and non-conforming residential apartments are commonplace in the city. The potential danger to occupants and the liability to owners are high, Jarrett suggested.