Seven children, all members of a Syrian family who arrived in Canada about two years ago, died in an early morning fire Tuesday that witnesses said quickly engulfed a home in a Halifax suburb.
A woman who lives next door said the children ranged in age from 3 months to 17-years-old.
A man and woman remained in hospital Tuesday afternoon, the man with life-threatening injuries. The woman was expected to survive her injuries.
Firefighters investigate following a house fire in the Spryfield community in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019. Seven children, all members of a Syrian family who arrived in Canada about two years ago, died in the early morning fire Tuesday that witnesses said quickly engulfed a home in a Halifax suburb. (Darren CalabreseThe Canadian Press via AP)
In a brief interview from the hospital, Imam Abdallah Yousri of the Ummah Mosque and Community Centre in Halifax said the family was originally from Raqqa, Syria.
Danielle Burt, who lives next door to the family, said she heard a loud bang and a woman screaming just after 12:30 a.m. Tuesday. Burt ran out of the house with her four children and saw the neighboring parents outside in a harrowing scene.
"The mother was on the grass, praying I guess, bowing her hands down, and pulling on my husband's arm to call 911," she said, becoming emotional.
Firefighters investigate following a house fire in the Spryfield community in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019. Seven children, all members of a Syrian family who arrived in Canada about two years ago, died in the early morning fire Tuesday that witnesses said quickly engulfed a home in a Halifax suburb. (Darren CalabreseThe Canadian Press via AP)
"She said the kids were inside and the dad was sitting on the steps. I think he had gone back in because he was really burnt. It was just awful."
The family has been in Canada almost two years, Yousri said, and originally settled in Elmsdale, north of Halifax.
Yousri said the funerals would likely be held Wednesday.
Firefighters investigate following a house fire in the Spryfield community in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019. Seven children, all members of a Syrian family who arrived in Canada about two years ago, died in the early morning fire Tuesday that witnesses said quickly engulfed a home in a Halifax suburb. (Darren CalabreseThe Canadian Press via AP)
"Words fail when children are taken from us too soon, especially in circumstances like this. My heart goes out to the survivors of the horrible fire in Halifax this morning, and the loved ones who are mourning this tremendous loss," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted.
"Our entire municipality is heartbroken and our thoughts are with the loved ones of the family," Halifax Mayor Mike Savage said in a tweet.
Police said the cause of the fire remained under investigation.
Halifax District Fire Chief Mike Blackburn said the fire was very heavy when they arrived, but firefighters were able to knock it down quickly.
He suggested firefighters were deeply affected by what they saw.
"They'll process this over time but it's very difficult and it's not going to get any easier," he said.