Mother, daughter dead after fatal Oshawa fire

A mother and one of her daughters have died after a house fire in Oshawa, emergency officials say, while two other family members have been hospitalized.

Fire crews were first called to 70 McGrigor St., near Centre Street S., at 8:08 a.m. Wednesday, said Todd Wood, deputy chief with Oshawa Fire Services.

"When our crews arrived on scene they encountered heavy smoke and flames from all levels of the house," Wood told reporters outside the home Wednesday morning.

Firefighters immediately tried to douse the flames, he said, and in the process pulled three people from the home, both through the front door and through windows.

A 46-year-old woman and a nine-year-old girl have been pronounced dead, Wood said, while a 56-year-old man who was able to get himself out of the house and a 12-year-old girl have been hospitalized. Both survivors are in life-threatening condition, police say.

Wood said the two adults were married, and the parents of the children in the home. He called the situation a difficult day for first responders.

"We do send out our deepest condolences. It is a tough day for everyone," he said.

Three Durham police officers were also taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation, police said.

Nancy Strange, who lives nearby, told reporters at the scene she was "petrified" when she heard glass breaking this morning, followed by smoke streaming by her upstairs window.

"My heart dropped when they brought the child out," she said. "My heart just goes out for the kids … I don't know what else to say. I'm in shock."

"It's March break. Kids should be having fun," she said, choking back tears.

Wood said fire officials don't yet know the cause of the blaze. The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal has been notified, he said, with investigators scheduled to be on scene sometime in the afternoon.

Roadways are expected to be closed for a period of time, police say, and investigators are asking people to avoid the area.