Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Five killed in Brampton, Ont., house fire

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 28 Mar, 2022 03:27 PM
  • Five killed in Brampton, Ont., house fire

BRAMPTON, Ont. - A mother, father and their three children died in a house fire in Brampton, Ont., on Monday as firefighters risked their lives trying to rescue them.

Brampton fire Chief Bill Boyes said crews were met with heavy smoke and flames when they arrived on the scene around 2 a.m.

"Our hearts are absolutely breaking," Boyes said. "What happened here today, to lose three children and two adults, with one additional person in life-threatening condition, it's absolutely tragic."

Boyes said the children who died were six, eight and 11 years old, and the two adults who died were their mother and father.

Randy Narine, a Brampton firefighter who said he is related to the family, identified the parents who died Monday as Nazir Ali, 28, and Raven Alisha Ali-O’dea, 29. He identified the children who lost their lives as Layla Rose Ali-O’dea, Jayden Prince Ali-O’dea and Alia Marilyn Ali-O’dea.

Narine, who said he was Ali's cousin, also shared a written statement from Ali's sister.

"They were very family oriented, compassionate, and always looking out for not only themselves, but everyone around them," Bismah Fatimah Ali said of those who died.

The interior of the upper floor of the family's home was blackened by the fire. Caution tape was put up to restrict access to the premises as police and fire crews investigated.

Const. Heather Cannon of Peel Regional Police said two children were taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead, while a third child was pronounced dead at the scene. Two adults were also pronounced dead at the scene, she said.

Another adult was sent to a local hospital and was later taken to a trauma centre where they were in critical condition, Cannon said. Boyes said that adult is related to the family members who died.

Two remaining adults, who were tenants living in the basement, were able to get out of the home and were not hurt, Boyes added.

Firefighters did everything they could to rescue the family who died, the fire chief said.

"They risked their lives to go into this fire and get these people out," Boyes said. "Unfortunately, it was a terrible outcome."

The fire comes just two months after another deadly blaze killed three brothers in a house fire in Brampton. Boyes said the same platoon that responded to that fire responded to Monday's blaze.

"They're upset. They took heroic actions to go in, as you can imagine, a difficult fire situation to go in, through the windows into a raging inferno and try to rescue people," he said.

"They're dealing with an extremely difficult situation and we're going to ensure that every psychological resource possibly available will be there for them."

John Lambe, who lives in the area, said he heard fire engines in the neighbourhood around 2:30 a.m. on Monday. He said he couldn't go back to sleep afterwards, adding his mind was replaying what had happened.

"When we learned of the passing, I don't know, you've got an empty feeling. It's very hard to concentrate and do anything," he said.

Lambe said he used to greet the family when he would see them, noting the tragic incident has affected many in the "quiet" neighbourhood.

"It's quite sad to hear what's happening here today. It's going to hit this neighbourhood pretty hard," he said.

Boyes said an investigation into the origin, cause and circumstances of the deadly fire is being led by the Office of the Fire Marshal, with assistance from Peel Regional Police and Brampton fire investigators.

Deputy Fire Marshal Tim Beckett said a team of five people from the Office of the Fire Marshal were on the scene Monday and would be there for the next several days.

"We did some initial walkthrough, had a quick look at the scene and what we're dealing with and now it will be the time to really start into a methodical approach," Beckett said.

Beckett said investigators will be examining whether there were working smoke alarms in the home.

"Fire burns so quickly nowadays with all the synthetics we have inside our homes. You've got minutes now to get out of the house and a working smoke alarm can help save your life," he said.

Premier Doug Ford expressed sadness at the "tragic deaths."

"I just can't imagine the hurt being felt by the family, the friends and the community. You'll all be in our prayers," he said during an unrelated announcement in Brampton on Monday

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was with Ford, said his thoughts were with family and friends of those who died.

"We're all thinking of those affected by this horrible, heartbreaking tragic fire," he said.

Beckett said 2022 has been an "extremely deadly year" for fires in Ontario so far, with more than 20 people dying in January, 19 in February and the number of fatalities in March still being counted.

"We haven't pinpointed I guess I'll call it a theme across Ontario around that, but what we do know is that a number of these fires didn't have working smoke alarms," he said. "And it's those working smoke alarms that give people that chance."

MORE National ARTICLES

Homicide team probes fatal shooting in Abbotsford

Homicide team probes fatal shooting in Abbotsford
 The victim is identified as 41-year-old Chad Colivas. 

Homicide team probes fatal shooting in Abbotsford

Opposition call for transparent COVID decisions

Opposition call for transparent COVID decisions
Conservative and NDP members of the House of Commons health committee hammered the minister with questions about a timeline, a benchmark, or a set of conditions that would trigger an end to vaccine requirements for travellers and federal employees.    

Opposition call for transparent COVID decisions

People over 30 can pick up COVID-19 tests in B.C.

People over 30 can pick up COVID-19 tests in B.C.
The province expanded eligibility Monday for the rapid antigen tests, which are intended for future use in case of illness and should not be picked up by anyone with symptoms of an active infection. Eligible individuals can pick up one kit of five tests every 28 days by showing their personal health number.

People over 30 can pick up COVID-19 tests in B.C.

Six more Sunwing party flight passengers fined

Six more Sunwing party flight passengers fined
Videos of the charter flight shared on social media showed unmasked passengers in close proximity singing and dancing in the aisle and on seats as some clutched bottles of liquor, snapped selfies and vaped.

Six more Sunwing party flight passengers fined

Man charged in Ottawa arson during convoy protest

Man charged in Ottawa arson during convoy protest
Police say Connor Russell McDonald, 21, has been charged with arson causing property damage and disregard for human life, mischief to property endangering life, mischief to property, and possession of incendiary material.    

Man charged in Ottawa arson during convoy protest

506 COVID19 cases over 3 days

506 COVID19 cases over 3 days
There are 271 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 49 are in intensive care. In the past 72 hours, eight new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,974.

506 COVID19 cases over 3 days