By Link News Desk
A house fire tragedy happened in Ontario, but it is a stark reminder for every homeowner across Canada to have working and efficient smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at home. The warning and appeal to have a fire exit plan and smoke alarms came from Ontario officials aftera family of five including 5 adults and 3 children that was tragically killed in a house fire this week.
Peel Regional Police said emergency crews were called to a home on Conestoga Drive, near Sutter Avenue, in the Kennedy Road and Sandalwood Parkway East area, just before 2 a.m. for reports of a fire.
Crews were able to pull four people from the house, but all were later pronounced dead. A fifth victim was located deceased inside the home during a search.
Rescuers found a sixth adult victim outside the home who got out on their own and was rushed to Sunnybrook Hospital for treatment of critical injuries.
Neighbours and family members identified those lost.The parents were Nazir Ali and Raven Alisha Ali O’deaand their children were Alia Marilyn Ali O’dea, Jayden Prince Ali O’dea and Layla Rose Ali O’dea.
The children’s father, Nazir Ali, and mother, Raven Ali-O’Dea, were killed in the blaze, family and friends told media.Their three children, Alia, 10, Jayden, eight, and Layla, seven, were are also killed.
Their deaths have left the community devastated. “Our hearts are absolutely breaking,” said Brampton Fire Chief Bill Boyes.”What happened here, to lose three children and two adults, with one additional person in life-threatening condition, it’s absolutely tragic.”
Global News reported that Fire Marshal Jon Pegg said a family member believed the smoke alarms were not working in the Ali-O’Dea family home _ something that investigators are currently examining. “If you don’t have a working smoke alarm, unfortunately we’re going to see more tragedies like (the one) over my shoulder,” he said.
Boyes too said firefighters and fire prevention officers checked homes nearby and found that some of them did not have working smoke alarms. He implored people to have working smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and a home escape plan in the event of a fire to prevent similar tragedies.
Boyes urged the public to follow fire safety procedures.”If you’re at home, check your smoke alarms. Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide alarm. And make sure your family and your friends and all those that you live with know what to do in the event of a fire, know how to get out,” he said.
Ali’s sister, Bismah Fatimah Ali, tole reportersthat she and the rest of her family were devastated. Bismah Fatimah Ali has also launched a GoFundMe campaign for the family to cover the funeral cost. More than 60 thousand dollars have already been raised. “This morning at 2 am a fire in Brampton Ontario claimed the lives of 5 beautiful people in our family. Nazir Ali, son of Nawab Ali and Samina Ali. Raven Alisha Ali O’Dea daughter of Louis Felipa and Bonnie O’Dea and their three beautiful children. Nazir and Raven were two of the most amazing young people, who dedicated their lives to their children. They were loving, selfless, and empathetic. Nazir was a loving son and caring brother to his 5 siblings and Raven was a loving daughter caring sister to her 4 siblings. Their absence will forever be felt in our lives,” the page described the family.
