Pam Steiger remembers her weekly visits with her sister-in-law Tanya Steiger and her husband Jermaine Loppie at their duplex home in Lower Sackville, N.S.
Steiger says the home was often filled with laughter and children. However, that has been silenced following the recent house fire that claimed the lives of three children.
“Everybody is just numb at this point,” said Steiger. “It’s an unimaginable horrific nightmare that we just want to wake up from.”
Nine-year-old Alauna and five-year-old Cayson are being remembered by Steiger – their aunt – as kind, joyful and full of life.
“(Alauna) was the most beautiful little girl,” said Steiger, beginning to tear up.
“She loved to dance; she was going to Disney with her best friend. She had her whole life ahead of her. Cayson was a superhero. He is the definition of a little devious boy. He was his mom’s little sidekick. He was with her everywhere.”
‘He always wanted to be a superhero’
The family made the decision to keep Cayson on life support so his organs could be donated, allowing him to give the gift of life to others.
“He always wanted to be a superhero, and he is. He’s an organ donor. At this time, we’re waiting for a list of recipients.”
Nova Scotia RCMP confirmed earlier this week that six-year-old Chloe was the first child to have died from her injuries after the fire.
She was a relative of the family and had been living with them for the last two years.
“Beautiful Chloe was in guardianship of Tanya and Jermaine for the past two years. She was sibling to those kids,” explained Steiger.
“She was a free spirit. Her and Cayson would fight all the time. She loved the outside and adventures, and she loved going swimming in the pool and camping. She was very much part of the family. We’re all related. She was a cousin.”
Steiger said the family now grieves all three children.
“They’ve got kids that are going to have to grow up without siblings and they’re never going to forget,” said William Buffett, the children’s godparent.
Early-morning fire
The fire broke out in the Steiger-Loppie family’s duplex on Riverside Drive around 3:10 a.m. Saturday.
Tanya managed to escape with her two-year old, Maria.
“(Tanya) said she woke up and there was smoke everywhere and she tried to get some of the kids out, and she couldn’t see anything in the black. She was unable to find anybody,” Steiger said.
Jermaine also made it out of the home, but went back inside to get the other children, who were on the upper level, but he did not make it far.
Their neighbour, who shares the walls of the duplex, managed to rescue Jermaine, who was unconsciousness inside the main level of the home.
“Jermaine tried his hardest to get those babies out and I can’t thank the neighbour enough for getting Jermaine out,” said Steiger.
Jermaine was placed in a medically-induced coma and awoke Tuesday morning. Steiger said he has since been told of his children’s death, leaving him heartbroken.
“It’s got to be the most heart-wrenching thing that I’ve ever seen,” said Buffett. “To see the pain and recognition in his eyes.”
“He didn’t get to say goodbye to Alauna,” said Steiger tearfully. “He has a long road ahead of him as well.”
For close friends, breaking the news of the deaths to their own children has been heart-wrenching.
“She went to dance class today. She told her dance team it’s not real. She doesn’t think it’s true, so it’s been tough,” said Alyssa Porter.
The family said they are grateful for the support from the community, the neighbour who saved Jermaine, and the first responders.
“We want to thank them all with all of our heart. We can’t even imagine where we would be if they weren’t here,” Steiger said.
Online fundraisers
Funeral arrangements for the two young siblings have yet to be determined.
“We’ve had offers of funeral services to be fully covered by different funeral homes,” Steiger said.
“There’s nothing that has been set in stone at this time, that is a conversation that has to be had at a later date when Jermaine is able to be there to make those decisions.”
Family friends have set up an online fundraiser for the family to help rebuild what was lost in the fire. As of Wednesday morning, it had reached close to $90,000.
The fundraiser for Chloe’s funeral costs has closed since reaching its goal.
The children’s school will also have counsellors and social workers on-hand through the week for support.
Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency is looking into the cause of the fire, but says it is not considered suspicious.
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