Brampton firefighters rescue woman, boy from house fire but both injured
Brampton firefighters rescued a woman and child from a house fire on Tuesday night but both suffered significant injuries, Peel paramedics say.
The woman was critically injured, while the boy was seriously injured. Both are listed in stable condition in hospital, according to Peel police. The boy is believed to be five years old, according to paramedics.
Brampton Fire Chief Bill Boyes said the two are believed to be mother and son.
Boyes said the two-alarm fire broke out in a house on Nevada Court, near Bovaird Drive East and Nasmith Street. Emergency crews were called to the house at about 7:50 p.m.
"On scene, when we arrived, we were notified of two patients in the basement. They were rescued quickly by crews, brought out and transported by Peel paramedics to hospital," Boyes said.
Residents who live on the upper floor of the house were able to get out on their own, he said.
Firefighters arrived within four minutes, he said. It began as a one-alarm fire but was quickly upgraded to a two-alarm fire. One-alarm means five fire trucks and a chief officer. Three more trucks and another chief officer arrived when it became two-alarm.
Boyes said Brampton and Ontario residents need to keep fire safety top of mind and he urged people to make sure that they have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in their homes.
Office of the Fire Marshal to investigate blaze
According to police, investigators believe the fire began in the basement, where the woman and child were trapped.
Const. Kyle Villers, spokesperson for Peel police, said firefighters had to battle the flames to reach them.
The Office of the Fire Marshal and Brampton fire officials will investigate the fire and will try to determine the origin, cause and circumstances of the fire.
Roads were closed in the area and police urged motorists to seek alternate routes on Tuesday night.
