A tragic overnight house fire in Brampton has left two people dead, four others in hospital, and three still unaccounted for, as emergency crews continue searching through the heavily damaged structure.
Peel police responded to multiple 911 calls around 2:15 a.m. Thursday after reports of a fire near McLaughlin and Remembrance roads. Several neighbouring homes were evacuated as firefighters fought intense flames that spread quickly through the residence.
Police confirmed that two adults were pronounced dead. Four others—including a young child believed to be four or five years old—were rushed to hospital in critical condition. Const. Tyler Bell said investigators believe 11 people were associated with the home: a multigenerational family of nine and two individuals who may have been living in a secondary unit.
Three people, including a child, remain unaccounted for, though Bell cautioned that early reports are conflicting. “It’s very difficult at this hour to confirm exact numbers,” he said, noting that some residents might have left for work or been away during the night.
Brampton Fire Chief Andy Glynn said the fire extensively damaged the home’s roof and caused parts of the structure to collapse. One victim was found inside the house and the other outside. “The amount of fire involvement was significant,” Glynn said, making it unsafe for crews to fully access the building during the initial response. Adjacent homes sustained damage but no injuries.
The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to investigate. Police say it is too early to determine whether the blaze is suspicious or criminal in nature. Stabilizing the house remains the priority before a complete search can be carried out.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said the home had a history of compliance issues, with the city previously issuing multiple orders related to building and fire safety. He emphasized that while the cause is still unknown, the tragedy highlights ongoing concerns about unsafe or illegal rental units in the city. Brown also commended the bravery of survivors, noting that a five-year-old child reportedly leapt from a second-floor window to escape the flames.
As investigators work to piece together what happened, the community is reeling from one of Brampton’s most severe residential fires in recent years.