OPP officers are excavating a vacant lot south of Apsley, located north of Peterborough, Ont., on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012, as part of a renewed investigation into the disappearance of Francis Muriel Harris in 1972. (QMI Agency/GALEN EAGLE)

PETERBOROUGH, ONT. - Ontario Provincial police are excavating a razed home just south of the village of Apsley, Ont., after some new leads emerged in the disappearance of a woman 40 years ago.

Police said foul play is suspected in the disappearance of Francis Muriel Harris, who hasn’t been seen since April 21, 1972.

The excavation is at the site of the former Harris home, which burned down in the early 1990s, QMI Agency has learned.

Family members are assisting police in the search, including one of Harris’s sons.

Officers are using ground-penetrating radar to map out the foundation of the burned home.

On scene are the provincial police’s urban search and rescue, and the nuclear explosives response team, among others. The excavation could take a week, police said.

The family has declined to comment at this time.

Apsley is about 200 km northeast of Toronto.