Five people suffered life-threatening injuries early Saturday morning when a residential fire broke out at a townhouse complex in Burlington.
Burlington Fire Response
Emergency crews responded to the blaze at 1300 Maple Crossing Boulevard, near Freeman Street, shortly before 7 a.m. on Saturday, according to Halton regional police. Burlington fire crews quickly extinguished the flames and rescued the occupants from the home, which police said did not suffer any fire spread to neighbouring units.
The victims include an adult man, an adult woman, and three children. Police described the children as one approximately 12 years old and two others believed to be five years old or younger. CityNews Toronto reported that the three children were without vital signs when they were taken out of the home.
Five people (2 adults and 3 children) have been transported to hospital with life threatening injuries. Fire has been extinguished however police and Burlington Fire are still on scene. Media officer remaining on scene at 1300 Maple Crossing Blvd. for any media still attending.
Halton paramedics transported all five patients to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. CityNews Toronto also said that a sixth person was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, though police could not confirm if that individual lived in the home.
Authorities investigate the fire origin and smoke alarm presence
Investigators from the Burlington Fire Department, the Office of the Fire Marshal, and Halton police are probing the circumstances surrounding the fire. Authorities are examining where the blaze started and whether working smoke alarms were present in the residence.
“They’re going to look into everything: smoke alarms, where it started, what took place. It’s too early at this point to know any of that,” said Halton police Const. Ryan Anderson. Anderson spoke to reporters at the scene, calling the event a “really, really tragic scene.”
Burlington Fire Chief Drew Boys said that the investigation remains in its early stages and has not ruled out any factors, including whether the fire was suspicious or if fire alarms were functioning, according to CBC reporting.
Did You Know? Neighbour Sasha Guerriero told CBC News that she woke up to the smell of smoke, smashing glass, and yelling, and observed a neighbour run into the burning home to help before emergency crews arrived.
Neighbours react to the tragedy and safety implications
Neighbours expressed shock over the incident, with Guerriero describing it as one of the most traumatizing things she had ever seen. She said that the family’s children were lovely and that the household had moved into the townhouse complex within the last six months.
Office of the Fire Marshal spokesperson Jim Demetriou emphasized the broader safety implications of the tragedy. “This is a very, very tragic reminder of having working smoke alarms in your home and, something that I find very, very important, is having an exit and strategy plan in place with your family and putting it to the test,” Demetriou told CityNews Toronto.
Questions about the Burlington fire and victims
When did the Burlington fire occur?
The residential fire broke out early Saturday morning, with emergency crews responding to the townhouse complex shortly before 7 a.m.
What are the conditions of the victims?
All five family members, consisting of two adults and three children, suffered life-threatening injuries and were transported to the hospital.
Which agencies are investigating the fire?
The Burlington Fire Department, the Office of the Fire Marshal, and Halton police are jointly investigating the origin, cause, and circumstances of the blaze.
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