No working smoke alarms in east Mountain townhouse that caught fire, killing four: fire marshal

The Ontario Fire Marshal says there were no working smoke alarms an east Mountain townhouse that caught fire Thursday, claiming the lives of four people, including two young kids.

Fire marshal Jon Pegg said a news conference Tuesday afternoon the fire originated in an upholstered couch on the main floor of the 14 Derby St. townhouse near Upper Gage Avenue and Rymal Road East.

All of the occupants were on the second floor at the time of the fire, and due to the location of the fire and the configuration of the residence, the fire blocked their ability to descend through the stairwell," said Pegg, speaking from a fire department training facility on Stone Church Road East on Jan. 3.

Hamilton paramedics said two eight-year-olds, a 30-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man were killed in the Dec. 29 fire. The four were taken to hospital without vital signs just after 11 p.m. on Thursday, and later died.

Fire didn't confirm the identifies of the victims, but a GoFundMe fundraiser and other media have identified mother Kassie Chrysler and her son, Lambo, and daughter, Khaleesi.

Pegg said the on-scene investigation is complete, but there is still much more being completed in order to understand the cause of the fire."

This is a very in-depth and comprehensive process, which involves lab analysis and modelling," he said, adding that more details will be released once completed.

Chief Dave Cunliffe said Hamilton fire is working with investigators and the city's legal team, and looking to pursue charges against the owner relative to failure to have a working smoke alarm."

Cunliffe didn't say whether any of the occupants owned the property.

More to come ...

Kate McCullough is an education reporter at The Spectator. kmccullough@thespec.com