Dozens of Mississauga families displaced after fire gutted townhouse complex
It’s been a difficult 24 hours for families displaced by a fire at a townhouse complex in Mississauga. Many are now learning it could be months before they can return home.
“We’re lucky we are a little bit further from where the damage started, but it’s unsure because we are not getting a lot of information,” Zainab Khan, a resident of the complex, said while trying to hold back tears. She was displaced along with her two brothers, mother and father.
“We’re just a little bit lost right now because I’m literally in the clothes I had on all day yesterday. I wasn’t able to wash my face, nothing,” Khan said.
Despite the upheaval, Khan hopes her family will continue to be one the lucky ones. Her dad made a harrowing escape and is thankful to be alive.
“It’s a blessing,” her father said in an emotional response. “I had to run barefoot. I had loose pajama [on] and and I had to run.”
“It’s very hurtful to throw away a lot of our possessions, because there are a lot of memories in there,“ Khan said.
Zainab Khan, a resident of the destroyed Mississauga townhouse complex, stands on the left outside the wreckage. The City of Mississauga said 36 units have been damaged by either fire, water or both.
On Monday, asbestos may have also been found during the investigation. Crews in hazmat suits have been on the scene.
Some residents have been told repairs could take months and to look for other housing.
“I think it’s just been really stressful being displaced,” said resident Josh Dias.
Today, firefighters were able to deliver some important items to families. Pets, wallets and medication were among the belongings retrieved.
Fire officials said with the possible discovery of asbestos residents cannot go inside their units to pick up items or view the damage.
Emergency crew on the scene of a Mississauga townhouse complex fire (CP24). They said the property company will be contacting residents as to when they may be able to return home.
When firefighters first responded to the townhouse complex on Sunday, they said they found a fire in a pot on a balcony, then noticed more flames on the other side of the building.
“This is a complicated fire because it has a communal attic, which means that the fire can travel very quickly,” said Fire Chief Deryn Rizzi.
Rizzi said nine families registered with the Canadian Red Cross because they did not have food, shelter, clothing or medication.
The Fire Chief said the investigation to determine the origin and cause of the fire will be lengthy.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'