Syrian refugee family displaced in Mississauga townhouse fire

Twenty-five residents have been displaced after a wall of flames ripped through a townhouse complex near Bloor and Dixie early Saturday morning.

Among those left homeless are a family of Syrian refugees who came to Canada less than two years ago.

Khaled Al-Awad says he noticed flames when he looked out the window into his backyard. He quickly gathered his three children and his wife and ushered them to safety before notifying neighbours.

Kwame Sakyi who lives in the complex says he was alerted to the fire when he heard someone screaming in a neighbouring unit.

“What I saw was that there was a flame coming out from (a) neighbour’s room” he said.

Sakyi says he saw heavy smoke and fire coming from the basement of that unit and helped rescue an elderly woman from the second floor. He then knocked on doors to warn other neighbours to get out.

Upwards of 65 firefighters battled the three alarm blaze, which proved difficult to contain as it jumped from house to house.

Paramedics assessed four patients and two were transported to emergency for minor injuries and further assessment. Two fire fighters were also reportedly treated for minor injuries on scene.

“This fire, it spread very quickly in the attack spaces and along the roof, and it was certainly a difficult fire to be able to attack,” said Mississagua Fire platoon chief Alan Hills.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. The office of the fire marshal has been notified.

Investigators are also looking into a strange incident that preceded the fire to determine if there is a connection.

Shortly before 5 p.m. Friday, a man came to the home claiming the bike in-front of the house belonged to him. Al-Awad says the man tried to force his way into the house but fled after he called police.

“Whether or not that incident has to do with what took place early this morning has yet to be determined,” said Peel Police spokesperson Brancroft Wright. “Our officers have been canvassing the area since early this morning, to gather that information.”

A gofundme account has been started for the Al Awad family to start rebuilding their lives. The family says it will be staying with a friend in the meantime.

The Burnhamthorpe Community Centre in Mississauga has also opened its doors for any other families displaced by the fire.

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