Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

2 Adults, 2 Children Killed In Oshawa, Ont., House Fire; 3 Others In Hospital

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 Jan, 2018 01:32 PM
    OSHAWA, Ont. — Two adults and two children have been killed in a house fire east of Toronto that also sent three other people to hospital, fire officials said Monday.
     
    Fire Chief Derrick Clark said a man, a woman and two children — a boy and a girl — died in the morning blaze in Oshawa, Ont. The condition of the three people taken to hospital was not known, he said.
     
    "This is a tragic event," Clark told a news conference. "I want to offer my sincere condolences to the families, all the families involved in this."
     
    Firefighters faced heavy smoke and flames when they arrived at the scene a little after 8 a.m., and had to fight the flames from the outside before attempting to rescue those inside.
     
    "They knocked the fire down from the outside, knowing that there was reports of people trapped, and made entry and made their way up to the upper levels of the house," Clark said.
     
    At one point, fire crews had to pull back as conditions worsened before regrouping and resuming their search and rescue efforts, Clark said.
     
    The residence had been divided into a number of apartments, he said.
     
    "From our initial reports we have two units in this house, but possibly more," he said.
     
    The cause of the fire wasn't yet known, but damage was most extensive at the rear of the building, Clark said.
     
    Whether the home had working smoke detectors would be part of the investigation into the blaze, he said, noting crews faced difficult conditions.
     
    "This fire was at the height the snow storm this morning ... very difficult conditions, both for crews driving en route here as well as fighting this fire," he said.
     
    A woman who works at a nearby convenience store, CW FoodMart, said when she got to work, the home two doors down was on fire with smoke billowing out and flames shooting through the top floor.
     
    She said residents of the home often shopped at the store, including a family with two children and their mother.
     
    "It's very sad, very sad," said Elena, who didn't want to provide her last name.
     
    Oshawa Mayor John Henry said it's always upsetting when there's a loss of life.
     
    "To the families, we pass on our deepest sympathies," he said.
     
    Ontario's Office of the Fire Marshal will be working with local officials to investigate the blaze.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Be Vigilant, Not A Victim This Christmas: 12 Tips For Security Around Your Home

    This holiday season Burnaby RCMP is calling on all Burnaby residents to be vigilant and to make sure they’re not an easy target for thieves. 

    Be Vigilant, Not A Victim This Christmas: 12 Tips For Security Around Your Home

    Surrey Police Seek Suspect From Alleged Cloverdale Convenience Store Robbery

    Surrey Police Seek Suspect From Alleged Cloverdale Convenience Store Robbery
    Surrey RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect in an alleged robbery that occurred in the Cloverdale area of Surrey this past November.

    Surrey Police Seek Suspect From Alleged Cloverdale Convenience Store Robbery

    Thief Complains Of 'Slim Pickings' In Delta – More People Leaving Vehicles Empty

    An experienced property thief who was recently arrested offers an unusual perspective to our residents.

    Thief Complains Of 'Slim Pickings' In Delta – More People Leaving Vehicles Empty

    Lyft Ride-Hailing App Arrives In Toronto, Marking Its First Expansion Outside US

    Lyft Ride-Hailing App Arrives In Toronto, Marking Its First Expansion Outside US
    TORONTO — Ride-hailing service Lyft will be available in Toronto starting today.

    Lyft Ride-Hailing App Arrives In Toronto, Marking Its First Expansion Outside US

    Suspended Sentence For Saskatchewan Man Who Threatened Prime Minister Trudeau

    Suspended Sentence For Saskatchewan Man Who Threatened Prime Minister Trudeau
    SASKATOON — A Saskatchewan man will not have to spend any time in jail for threatening on social media to kill Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

    Suspended Sentence For Saskatchewan Man Who Threatened Prime Minister Trudeau

    BC Government To Go Ahead With Site C Hydroelectric Dam Project

    The Site C hydroelectric dam will be completed with the backing of British Columbia's NDP government, but it is warning the price tag will be higher than estimated.

    BC Government To Go Ahead With Site C Hydroelectric Dam Project