With tears in his eyes, an Ontario fire investigator stood outside the charred remains of a deadly Oshawa house fire on Wednesday, and revealed his findings: there were no working fire alarms inside the house.Wires and brackets jutted out where smoke detectors should have been.The fire on Monday claimed the lives of Steven Macdonald – the father of a pregnant daughter, who died trying to save other residents – single mother Lindsey Bonchek, Bonchek’s nine-year-old daughter Madeline, and her four-year-old son Jackson.Fire Marshal investigator Richard Derstroff and the two city councillors who attended the scene appeared overcome with emotion as they spoke to media.Related story:Oshawa fire hero remembered for life of selfless acts“There were no working smoke alarms within the structure which is very disappointing because that would have provided the occupants with early detection of the fire and given them opportunity to escape …. this is a preventable tragedy and it shouldn’t have happened,” said Derstroff.“When the fire is already raging, it’s too late. The smoke can get you, the fire can get you, the heat can get you,” Derstroff said. “It makes it even worse when you have small children involved.”“There’s going to be an empty desk at school.”Oshawa councillor Amy McQuaid-England’s frustration was palpable as she spoke to reporters, noting that the house was in a “high priority needs neighbourhood” and calling on the city to take action. “We need to be responsible for the residents of our city,” she said. “We need to be protective.”McQuaid-England said she’s been fighting for increased fire safety for eight years, predating her time as a councillor. “We’ve been fighting really hard to get protections but we’re hitting a wall,” she said. “It’s preventable.”She added that she’s be ...
|
