Close X
Tuesday, November 12, 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

    Natural Remedies Used: Appeal Court Upholds Parents' Conviction In Son's Death

    Natural Remedies Used: Appeal Court Upholds Parents' Conviction In Son's Death
    LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — The Alberta Court of Appeal has upheld convictions against a couple who treated their toddler son with natural remedies before he died of meningitis.

    Natural Remedies Used: Appeal Court Upholds Parents' Conviction In Son's Death

    'He Was Hearing From Monica:' Accused Told Aunt His Dead Sister Was Texting Him

    'He Was Hearing From Monica:' Accused Told Aunt His Dead Sister Was Texting Him
    RED DEER, Alta. — A central Alberta man accused of killing his family told an aunt his dead sister was communicating with him about how she and her parents died.

    'He Was Hearing From Monica:' Accused Told Aunt His Dead Sister Was Texting Him

    WATCH: Environmental Activists Interrupt PM Trudeau News Conference In Vancouver

    WATCH: Environmental Activists Interrupt PM Trudeau News Conference In Vancouver
    Sources Say The Federal Government Could Be Ready To Provide A Rapid-reaction Force In The Golan Heights

    WATCH: Environmental Activists Interrupt PM Trudeau News Conference In Vancouver

    Memorial Marks 20 Years Since Reena Virk's Death, Steps From Tragic Scene

    Memorial Marks 20 Years Since Reena Virk's Death, Steps From Tragic Scene
    It's Been 20 Years Since Reena Virk Was Beaten And Drowned Near The Craigflower Bridge In Saanich, B.C.

    Memorial Marks 20 Years Since Reena Virk's Death, Steps From Tragic Scene

    Yukon Man Tells Story Of Survival After Battle With Enraged, Injured Bison

    Yukon Man Tells Story Of Survival After Battle With Enraged, Injured Bison
    WHITEHORSE — A Yukon hunter has a harrowing tale of survival after tangling with a bison, the largest land mammal in North America.

    Yukon Man Tells Story Of Survival After Battle With Enraged, Injured Bison

    Vancouver Approves $49 Annual Licence For Short-Term Rentals Including Airbnb

    Vancouver Approves $49 Annual Licence For Short-Term Rentals Including Airbnb
    Vancouver city council has approved new rules that will require a $49 annual licence for anyone who lists their property as a short-term rental on websites such as Airbnb and Expedia.

    Vancouver Approves $49 Annual Licence For Short-Term Rentals Including Airbnb