Investigators release new details on two tragic Halifax-area house fires
No operating smoke alarms found in tragic Halifax house fires
Fire investigators in Halifax have revealed that no operating smoke alarms were found in two separate house fires earlier this year, both of which resulted in tragic outcomes.
According to a statement released by Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, both fires were deemed accidental with the ignition source being electrical in nature. The fire department has announced that a news conference will be held on Wednesday afternoon to provide further details about their investigations.
The first fire took place on January 11 at a home on Riverside Drive in Lower Sackville, claiming the lives of three children. Chloe Margaret Greenough Steiger, 6, Cayson Jermaine Loppie, 5, and Alauna Marie Loppie, 9, tragically lost their lives in the early morning blaze. While two adults and a two-year-old child managed to survive, the fire officials determined that the fire originated in the basement TV room.
Less than two weeks later, on January 24, another fire erupted in a house on Thompson Street in Dartmouth. The fire investigators discovered that this fire began in the living room. Ron Dunphy, 83, was rescued from the fire by his partner of 25 years, Francis Anopuechi. Sadly, Dunphy succumbed to his injuries on the same day as the fire, while Anopuechi passed away a few days later due to the injuries sustained in the fire.
These tragic incidents serve as a stark reminder of the importance of having functioning smoke alarms in every home. Smoke alarms are crucial in alerting residents to the presence of a fire and giving them precious time to escape safely. It is essential for homeowners to regularly test their smoke alarms and ensure that they are in working condition.
As the community mourns the loss of lives in these devastating fires, it is imperative for everyone to prioritize fire safety measures in their homes to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring.
