Brampton house fire leaves parents, 3 children dead

An early morning fire that ripped through a house in Brampton Monday has left a young family with three children dead and another adult in critical condition.

Neighbours and family members identified those lost.

The parents were Nazir Ali and Raven Alisha Ali O'dea, CBC News confirmed, and their children were Alia Marilyn Ali O'dea, Jayden Prince Ali O'dea and Layla Rose Ali O'dea.

Their deaths have left the community devastated.

 "Our hearts are absolutely breaking," said Brampton Fire Chief Bill Boyes.

"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 fire crews were met with heavy smoke and flames when they arrived on the scene of the fire at Conestoga Drive and Sutter Avenue at approximately 2 a.m.

The three-alarm fire made for a "difficult entry" for crews upon arrival, Boyes said.

Two of the children were rushed by paramedics to hospital in life-threatening condition and died shortly after, Peel police Const. Heather Cannon told reporters at the scene. Two adults and a third child were found dead at the home. 

The fire department did everything they could to rescue the occupants of the home, the chief said.

"They risked their lives to go into this fire and get these people out," Boyes said, noting mental health resources would be made available to the firefighters.

"Unfortunately, it was a terrible outcome."

One adult was able to get out of the house and was rushed to a trauma centre in critical condition.

Two other adults were able to leave the house through the basement without physical injuries, Boyes said.

John Lambe, who lives in the area, said he would say hello to the family when he saw them and their deaths have affected many in the quiet Brampton neighbourhood.

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

"My prayers & condolences are with the family & friends who have been impacted by this devastating fire on Conestoga Dr in Brampton. Also grateful for the tireless efforts of our first responders who faced very difficult conditions," Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said in a tweet Monday morning.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford also extended his condolences at an announcement on child-care in Brampton.

"I want to express just how sad I was to learn of the tragic deaths of a family here in Peel, including the loss of three precious children," Ford said Monday morning.

"I just can't imagine the hurt that's being felt by the family and friends and the entire community. You'll be all in our prayers."

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.

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie also said she was "heartbroken" to learn about the fire.

Boyes said firefighters were working to ensure there were no hotspots in the home on Monday morning before an investigation into the cause of the deadly fire could begin.

The investigation will be done in collaboration with the Office of the Fire Marshal, Peel Regional Police and Brampton fire investigators, he noted.

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.

"We just don't want to see in Brampton or across Ontario another tragic fire happen."