Hundreds of grief-stricken mourners wept openly at a funeral service Saturday afternoon for a father and daughter killed in a devastating fire last weekend.
Jackie McGregor was comforted by her friends the caskets carrying her husband and daughter were brought into Central United Church on King Street. At one point, the young widow was doubled over with grief.
"It's awful. So painful, it's almost unbearable," one mourner told CTV Toronto.
Ken Einboden, 44, and 12-year-old Britney were pulled from a house fire in the city's west end last Sunday without any vital signs.
Einboden was able to rescue his infant daughter Kendra from the home before rushing back inside to get Britney, who was doing homework in her bedroom on the second floor. Both he and Britney became trapped inside the burning home as thick black smoke filled the air.
Emergency officials say the heroic father died a short time after being pulled from the blaze. Britney died the next day at the Hospital for Sick Children.
Richard Leftley, Einboden's best friend, spoke to reporters about the kind of man his friend was.
"He was the greatest best friend I ever had," he said, sobbing. "He was a devoted husband, an awesome father.
"The world lost an angel but they also lost a hero and a good samaritan," he added.
A friend of the child took to the podium during the service and spoke of sleepovers, home movies and being best friends.
"Britney, wherever you are, I miss you," she said. "Wherever you are, God bless you."
Officials say a pot of boiling oil left on the stove unattended sparked the inferno. The home did not have a working smoke alarm.
The family was renting the North York-area home. Einboden had just lost his job and McGregor was on maternity leave after giving birth about five months ago.
The couple did not have renter's insurance.
McGregor said late last week she is thankful for the community's words of sympathy and generous donations for her and her baby.
With files from CTV Toronto's Janice Golding
