Close X
Monday, November 25, 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

    Most illegal guns in B.C. from domestic supply, province tackles trafficking

    Most illegal guns in B.C. from domestic supply, province tackles trafficking
    Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said police data indicates almost 60 per cent of the guns seized in B.C. were purchased, traded or stolen in Canada

    Most illegal guns in B.C. from domestic supply, province tackles trafficking

    B.C. Real Estate Association predicts further dip in home sales in 2018

    B.C. Real Estate Association predicts further dip in home sales in 2018
    Data shows estimated home sales in 2018 are expected to dip to 91,700 units, down more than 10,000 from the record set in 2016

    B.C. Real Estate Association predicts further dip in home sales in 2018

    Threat reduced to B.C. coast as fuel barge safely reaches protected waters

    Threat reduced to B.C. coast as fuel barge safely reaches protected waters
    The barge was loaded with 3.5 million litres of diesel and 468,000 litres of gasoline

    Threat reduced to B.C. coast as fuel barge safely reaches protected waters

    Highway 1 fully reopens after crews clear away debris from mudslides in B.C.

    Highway 1 fully reopens after crews clear away debris from mudslides in B.C.
    The Ministry of Transportation says the road was closed after mud and debris slid onto the pavement in three different areas

    Highway 1 fully reopens after crews clear away debris from mudslides in B.C.

    Baldev Singh Kalsi pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2014 death of wife

    Baldev Singh Kalsi pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2014 death of wife
    Kalsi was arrested after his wife was found in severe medical distress at their home.

    Baldev Singh Kalsi pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2014 death of wife

    Sales soar for marijuana advent calendars as health experts issue warning

    Sales soar for marijuana advent calendars as health experts issue warning
    The company has sold 150 calendars, with 300 more orders ready for processing on top of a waiting list of about 1,500 people.

    Sales soar for marijuana advent calendars as health experts issue warning