PTC News Desk: At least three people of Indian-origin including a child, were killed and four others critically injured after massive fire engulfed a house in Brampton. 

Peel police said they responded to the scene near McLaughlin and Remembrance roads around 2:15 a.m. after several 911 calls reported a fire. Multiple homes were evacuated, police said.

By the second evening, firefighters were still sifting through the debris of the burned building to look for those who were missing. According to Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, the overseas owner had applied in 2020 to create additional units in the house. Inspectors came to the property three or four times over the years, but the residents living there did not allow them to enter.

Fire broke out at the house around midnight

A fire brigade official said that when they received the call around 2:30 a.m. and reached the spot, the upper floor was completely engulfed in flames. They immediately evacuated nearby houses and began efforts to control the fire. During the operation, the bodies of two people, including a child, were found inside. 

Four family members — including a pregnant woman and a 5-year-old child — survived by jumping out of a window but were seriously injured. One of them is in critical condition. The fire also caused major structural damage to the adjoining house.

Punjabi family had been living on rent for many years

Ontario’s premier expressed sympathy for the affected people. The identities of the victims have not yet been officially released, but neighbours say the family was Punjabi and had been renting the home for many years. According to further information, the house was bought about six years ago by a man living in India, through a realtor, as an investment and rented out. He never visited the property and had handed over its upkeep and rent management to an acquaintance living in Canada.