People looking out over Lake Ontario Thursday night spotted an orange glowing light fired into the sky but the reason behind the strange orb turns out to be a sad one.

The lights appeared in the sky around 10 p.m. on Aug. 26, according to Mississauga resident Jay Patel. Patel says it appeared continuously every two to three minutes from the west.

Strange orange lights over Lake Ontario last night turned out to be flares used by the Halton Regional Police Service to find a missing boater - 📹 Jay Patel #LakeOntario #Police pic.twitter.com/wJAmQ65hsD

— blogTO (@blogTO) August 27, 2021

Several people in Etobicoke also saw what was described as "orange fireballs" over Lake Ontario, according to a post in the South Etobicoke Community Facebook group.

It turns out the lights were actually flares used to search for a missing boater, according to Halton Regional Police.

Water/shoreline search continuing for a vessel occupant in the area of 16 Mile Creek/Lake Ont. Expect to see illumination of the sky in this area while search continues and searchers utilize flares to enhance lighting. ^dm

— HRPS Oakville (@HRPSOak) August 27, 2021

Shortly after 6 p.m. on Aug. 26 Halton Police Marine officers were helping a boater around 16 Mile Creek and Lake Ontario while a storm was moving through the area.

At this time they noticed another boat nearby which appeared to be adrift.

"Upon closer examination, the Marine Officers were able to board the vessel and determine there were no occupants aboard," police say.

Police learned an experienced operator, Robert Wyles, 80, who is not from Halton, bought the boat earlier in the day and he was seen alone, boarding and leaving Bronte Harbor around 12:30 p.m.

This is insane. I can’t believe the power of these. Praying they find those who are missing. pic.twitter.com/7zVQQtya49

— Mitch Johnson (@MitchJohnson12) August 27, 2021

A search and rescue was immediately initiated, which quickly expanded to joint efforts between Halton/Peel/Hamilton Police Marine units, Towarf (Marine Rescue) and JRCC (CFB Trenton), police say.

A shoreline search was also conducted along the shores of Lake Ontario from 16 Mile Creek Area (Trafalgar Road) to Bronte Harbor (Burloak Drive) by Halton Police search team.

Strange #orangelights floating over Lake Ontario. There were two, one disappeared and then came back again … 👽?? pic.twitter.com/OlIAIXGzcC

— Donovan Jackson (@bakerdonovan) August 27, 2021

The water search was expected to continue into Aug. 27.

"Homeowners can expect to see illumination in the area as the rescuers utilize flares to enhance visibility during the night search," police say.

Halton Police asked residents with shoreline property to check their shorelines for the missing man.