Seven children were killed in a house fire in Halifax this morning.
The fire broke out in a residence on Quartz Drive in Spryfield at 12:41am.
Police and Fire personnel responded and encountered heavy fire on the first and second floors.
They extinguished the fire within the hour.
Halifax Regional Police and Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency confirm the young children are from the same family.
A woman and a man taken from the house remain in hospital.
The man suffered life threatening injuries.
Municipal Councillor for the area Steve Adams says the family moved into the subdivision this summer.
Our Firefighters worked fought hard and worked well in difficult conditions. As we investigate this tragedy, we appreciate the patience of our residents as we search for the origin and cause of the fire. Information will be provided as soon as it becomes available.
— Halifax Fire (@hfxfire) February 19, 2019
A local mosque and community centre confirmed the family came to Canada from Syria as refugees.
They expressed their grief for the children’s deaths.
They say the burial will be held in the Kearney Lake Cemetery later today or tomorrow.
In a joint release first responders say they are deeply saddened by this loss.
Officials won’t comment on any possible cause as the fire remains under investigation.
They say further details will be provided as they become available.