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Five people, including three children, are in life-threatening condition in hospital after a house fire in Burlington on Saturday morning, according to Halton police.
Emergency crews responded to a fire at a townhouse complex near Maple Crossing Boulevard and Freeman Street around 6:50 a.m., Halton police Const. Ryan Anderson told CBC News at the scene.
Burlington fire crews quickly extinguished the blaze and rescued two adults, a child aged about 12 and two children under the age of 5, he said. Anderson wasn’t able to confirm if the five residents were related.
“It’s a really, really tragic scene out here,” he said.
Halton paramedics said all of the injuries were related to the fire. They said a sixth person was also taken to hospital in non-life-threatening condition. Police were not able to confirm if that person was a resident in the home.
The fire was contained to one unit of the complex, Anderson said. Other homes did not need to be evacuated, he said.
Burlington Fire Department, the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) and Halton police are investigating the fire, he said.
Three patients were initially reported as vital signs absent after a house fire, but are now in critical condition at the hospital, said Burlington Fire Chief Drew Boys on Nov. 14, 2026. (Spencer Gallichan-Lowe/CBC)
In its early stage, the investigation has not ruled out any factors, including whether the fire was suspicious or whether fire alarms were working, he said.
Three patients were initially reported as vital signs absent, but are now in critical condition at the hospital, Burlington Fire Chief Drew Boys said at the scene. Emergency crews conducted CPR at the scene and en route to the hospital, he said.
He urged residents to ensure their homes have a working fire alarm on every level and to practise a fire safety escape plan with their families.
OFM investigators are at the scene to determine the safety of the structure and to determine the origin and cause of the fire, said spokesperson Jim Demetriou at a news conference at the scene.
“Our thoughts are with the families affected by this tragic incident,” he said.
Neighbours shocked, hope for best for victims
Neighbour Sasha Guerriero said she woke up Saturday morning to the smell of smoke and the sounds of smashing glass and people yelling.
She said she evacuated her home with her adult son just as fire crews were pulling the children and an adult out of the home.
“It’s probably one of the most traumatizing things I’ve ever seen. It’s awful,” she said, adding she doesn’t know the residents, but has played with the kids when they run around outside.
OFM spokesperson Jim Demetriou urged people to check if their homes have working fire alarms and to routinely practice safety plans with their families. (Spencer Gallichan-Lowe/CBC)
“The kids are lovely. Really good, nice kids.”
She said she saw one of her neighbours run into the home to help the people inside. Halton police and Burlington Fire could not confirm if that person was injured in the incident.
“She’s very brave and often acts before she thinks, especially when someone is in danger,” Guerriero said, adding the neighbour shared with her that they felt they could’ve done more to help the family.
The residents of the home had moved to the area about five to six months ago, said neighbour Bonnie Labocha.
“I was shocked,” she said, adding her granddaughter sometimes plays with one of the children.
She said she feared the worst when she saw emergency crews conducting CPR outside of the home, but was relieved to see paramedics attach IVs before taking the victims to hospital.