A passerby ran into a burning home in Regina early this morning in an effort to save a woman and a baby. Despite the efforts, and the efforts of police and firefighters, the victims did not make it.
Regina’s deputy fire chief, Gerard Kay, says by the time crews arrived, it was all they could do to prevent the raging fire from spreading to neighbouring homes.
“The reality of the flames coming out of just about every window, every door and the roof system itself, it made it very difficult to fight so we couldn’t really get in there and deal with it. It was basically a free burn at that point.”
There was a flashover — the point where the heat becomes so intense there is an explosion that consumes everything that is combustible. The deputy chief says that is what happened here.
Fire crews were called to the small wooden home just east of downtown Regina shortly before 2 a.m. When they arrived, a passerby and Regina police were attempting to revive the two victims.
“We took the small male infant into our fire truck and continued to work on that infant until EMS crews arrived. At that time both the female and infant were rushed to Regina General Hospital.”
Both were pronounced dead at hospital. Autopsies have been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Francisco Sosa, lives a couple of doors down from the deadly fire. He didn’t know the neighbours well, but says they seemed like nice folks.
“You know, these people were very quiet. I can say only that when I saw them in the backyard, I would say ‘Hello’.”
There were initially concerns that there might be a third victim in the burned out remains of the home. He has since been located safe and sound.
Regina police arson investigators were also on the scene to make sure there was nothing suspicious about the fire.
Reports indicate the fire was caused by a pot left on the stove. The victims have since been identified as 58-year-old Marilyn Tanner and 20-month-old Alonzo Tanner.
(with files from The Canadian Press)