A landlord is facing a pair of fire code violations following a fatal blaze in east Toronto that killed two people last week.
Officials say that a couple who lived on the main floor of the home, located near Danforth and Coxwell Avenues, tried to escape the blaze but couldn't make it to the front door.
Investigators from the Fire Marshal's office say they found several violations in the home. Fire crews also said that they did not hear fire alarms when they entered the semi-detached home at around 3:30 a.m. the day of the blaze, according to Toronto Fire Chief Bill Stewart.
On Thursday, Stewart said that it's the home owner's responsibility to keep at least one working smoke alarm on every floor of a home, and near all bedrooms.
"Only working smoke alarms can save your life. Smoke alarms can be activated by cooking but they should not be removed. Use the hush button to silence a false alarm."
The victims were identified by friends and family members as Adam Smoke, 40, and Melody George, 39.
Smoke died on the scene but his girlfriend was rushed to Toronto East General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Another resident, who lived on the top floor of the home, managed to get out alive.
Family members of the deceased said both Smoke and George had children from past relationships, but that the children were not residing with them at the time of the fire.
The owner of the property, 30-year-old James Edward Webster, is facing two charges of failing to provide, install and maintain smoke alarms on every level of a home.He also faces charges relating to improper fire doors and temporary electrical wiring. Each charge carries a fine of $50,000.
