Fatal house fire in Comox, B.C., believed to be accidental
Investigators now say an explosion and fire that claimed the lives of two people in Comox, B.C., on Friday afternoon was accidental, possibly caused by smoking cigarettes or portable heaters.
Two seniors, both with mobility challenges, died in a fire in the 1700-block of Ryan Road in Comox on a property backing onto Kelly Cade’s backyard.
"I heard an explosion happening. [About] 100 yards is my neighbour’s house, a big mushroom ball and flames were flying," Cade told CTV News on Monday.
"There’s a big ditch I had to cross to get over there and it was engulfed and the crackling of the old cedar home was going up pretty good," he said.
He rushed over towards the home but couldn’t get close because of the intense heat. The elderly couple’s children were also at the scene and spotted the fire because they too lived near the home.
"They were very emotional about it all, and like I say, there was nothing we could do," said Cade. "It was just too hot and no one could do anything. It was a very sad thing to watch."
When Comox firefighters arrived on the scene they were alerted to the possibility of victims being inside.
"It did turn out to be the case. One person just outside the structure, one person inside, unfortunately both deceased." said Comox Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Rick Shelton.
Investigators say the fire is considered accidental. Cade says it appears the fire started in a solarium at the rear of the home and the loss of the couple is tragic.
"They were elderly people and the daughter would come and look after them in the evening time and I stopped by a few times to introduce myself," said Cade.
"They were always in the back room where the fire actually happened because I guess they were in wheelchairs," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.