Family releases statement after three brothers die in Brampton, Ont. house fire
The three boys killed in a townhouse fire in Brampton on Thursday are being remembered by their family as a kind, caring and "delightfully rambunctious bunch" who were deeply loved.
The Bagan and Tomatuk Family released a statement Friday through the advocacy group Malton Moms, identifying the boys as 15-year-old Coen Bagan-Overholt, 12-year-old Riley Bagan-Overholt, and nine-year-old Alex Bagan Overholt.
The brothers died in hospital after being pulled from their burning home near Torbram Road and Clark Boulevard.
The family said the boys' mother, Heather Bagan, was not at the home at the time of the fire as she went to drop off her youngest child at his daycare. When she returned, the residence was already engulfed in flames.
Firefighters are shown at the scene of a fatal house fire in Brampton, Ont., Thursday, Jan.20, 2022. Three boys have died after a house fire in Brampton, Ont. on Thursday morning. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
"Heather's boys were a delightfully rambunctious bunch, but they were also a tribe of their own," the family said in a statement. "Brothers and young boys, that can most definitely be described as incredibly kind, always caring, affectionate, and more than anything, deeply loved."
Coen was known for being witty, the family said. He had a great sense of humour and will be remembered for always having a smile on his face.
The family described Riley as "smart and observant in his own quiet way, and very spunky."
Alex was the happy-go-lucky boy, the family said. He was fun and silly and wore an infectious smile.
The brothers are also survived by their big sister Taylor and their five-year-old brother Nate.
"We thank you for the kind words of support and comfort, for the thoughts, donations, and for the empathy and love that has been expressed by so many who share our grief and loss during this unimaginable time," Heather's sister, Cheryl Tomatuk-Bagan, said in a statement.
The family also acknowledged the efforts of the first responders, saying, "we thank them for their bravery and attempts."
According to the statement, Heather's family from Moose Factory, Ont. will be travelling to Brampton to be with her while extended family from Peterborough have already arrived to provide support.
Neighbours have also been dropping flowers and candles at a makeshift memorial near the home.
On Friday, officials from Brampton Fire and Emergency Services visited the memorial and placed stuffed toys there.
"We just wanted to show some recognition of what happened here and just to have a quiet moment to remember and honour those who passed away," said Fire Chief Bill Boyes.
"It's a difficult day for the community for sure. It's such a close-knit neighbourhood as you have seen, and obviously, for our department and for our team and the police and the paramedics, it's a tough day too," he added.
Flowers, toys and candles are seen at a makeshift memorial for the victims of a fire in Brampton. (CTV News/Corey Baird)
Peel police called Thursday's fire a "tragic circumstance" and said that they were not investigating it as a case of neglect.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Office of the Fire Marshal in parallel with police.
The fire broke out around 9:11 a.m. and when crews arrived, they encountered heavy flames and smoke.
Mayor Patrick Brown said that one of the boys called 911 to report the fire and told the dispatcher that he was stuck inside.
He said it took six minutes for the first firefighters to arrive at the home, but the fire had already spread. Police arrived at the scene first and attempted to get to the boys, but were blocked by the flames and smoke.
"I can assure you when this call first came across and information was received that there were children in the home, these officers were trying to get here, just like the firefighters were, just like the paramedics were, all trying to get here as quickly as possible to do whatever it is that we could have done to try and rescue the occupants of the home," Peel police Const. Akhil Mooken said Thursday.
Flags have been lowered at three Peel Region schools where the boys attended.
The Malton Moms group has created a GoFundMe page to help the family.
- with files from Joshua Freeman and The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
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.
Here's what 'the hinge' move is, how to do it correctly
When you're picking something up from the floor or bending over to tie your shoe laces, you're performing "the hinge move," according to movement trainers.
Tips to make a house or apartment safe and accessible for older adults living at home
Here's a summary of tips from the U.S. National Institute on Aging and AARP, which offers a free room-by-room guide with practical suggestions for older adults living independently.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
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.