Brampton building officials were previously refused entry to inspect renovations at the home where an early morning fire claimed two lives.
That’s according to Mayor Patrick Brown, who spoke to members of the media outside of the Banas Way house this afternoon (Nov. 20).
The fire was called in just after 2 a.m. at the semi-detached home in the McLaughlin Road and Remembrance Road area.
Two people died in the blaze, and four are being treated in hospital but are in critical condition. One of those injured is a child. Three others who were believed to be in the home at the time are unaccounted for as emergency crews search through the rubble.
It is believed that two families occupied the home and that some residents, including children, jumped from a second-floor window to save themselves.
Brown said the landlord, who lives outside the country, had submitted a building permit application to create a second dwelling in the basement as far back as 2019.
However, building officials were turned away several times when they went to inspect the finished work.
Brown said the refusal led to compliance orders being issued.
“It is still early days and we will know at a later date if there are failings to the Ontario Building Code or the Ontario Fire Code, but it speaks to why the city has such a rigorous and aggressive clampdown on illegal units, because it creates, unfortunately, preventable tragedies,” said Brown refering to new rules Brampton has in place to try to control multi-unit dwellings.
When pressed on why the dispute carried on for six years, Brown and a city official said they did not have to right to enter the home without permission.
“This will be investigated, but when I hear as mayor that investigations were refused, that entry was refused, it gives me great concern that, unfortunately, this is going to end up being one of those circumstances that could have been avoided,” said Brown. “Our city has a heavy heart today.”
A city official said inspectors and the landlord were in the process of working on compliance before the fire occurred.
Brown said it has been an ongoing battle with landlords to control multi-unit dwellings, that, he said, are often home to 20 people.
The opposition to controls by some landlords has been “loud and aggressive,” said Brown.
When fire crews arrived at the scene this morning, they were met by flames on the roof, which caused a partial collapse of the house.
Two neighbouring homes were also damaged, but residents were able to escape safely, officials said.
Multiple homes on the street were evacuated, police said.
The Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal will investigate the cause of the fire.
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