OSHAWA – Donations are pouring in for a teenager, who lost his mom and two young siblings, and a pregnant woman whose dad died trying to save them when flames tore through an Oshawa house Monday.
But Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal says it’s not yet known what sparked the deadly blaze that erupted at 116 Centre St. N., near Colborne St. W., just after 8 a.m.
“Right now we’re analyzing the fire patterns to determine where the fire originated,” OFM fire investigation supervisor Rick Derstroff said Tuesday. “Once we determine where the fire originated, then we can look for possible ignition sources in that area.”
Investigators from Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal sifted through charred debris in an Oshawa house, where a fire killed two adults and two kids, as OFM fire investigation supervisor Rick Derstroff updates the media on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.
As two OFM investigators sifted through the charred debris, he confirmed the bodies of the four victims — two adults and two kids — had been removed from the multi-unit home that had as many as 11 people inside when the fire broke out.
The names of the four deceased have not officially been released.
However, the woman and two kids have been identified on social media by those who knew them as Lindsey Bonchek, 36, her daughter Madeline, 9, and her son Jackson, 4.
A GoFundMe page, which had raised more than $9,300 by Tuesday afternoon, described Lindsey as “a devoted mother” who relied on social assistance but “did what she could with what she had for her children.”
“Madeline was a bright star and mathlete, who adored her youngest brother, Jack,” the GoFundMe states.
“Amidst this tragedy, Lindsey leaves behind her teenage son, Ben, who has been identified as having special needs,” the online fundraising page goes on to say. “Ben has been left alone, with only the shirt on his back, and will require some form of care for the rest of his life.”
The GoFundMe explains that donations will primarily be used to help with funeral costs.
“Any funds remaining will be provided to Ben and his caretakers to help rebuild his life and provide necessary supports for his well-being,” the page says.
A separate GoFundMe has been set up for the man killed in the fire and his daughter who is expecting her first child and managed to escape from the burning house.
Steven Macdonald, 50, died trying to rescue others when flames erupted in an Oshawa home but his daughter Alysha, who is sevens months pregnant, survived.
“Luckily, my fiancée Alysha Macdonald (seven months pregnant) was able to get out of the house without any physical harm to her or her child,” the page states. “However, her father Steven Macdonald passed away while courageously running back into the building to save the others.”
The GoFundMe, which had raised closed to $8,200 by Tuesday afternoon, aims to help cover funeral costs and replace what was lost in the fire, “including all money and gifts that Alysha received from her baby shower just weeks ago.”
Alyssa took to Facebook to express her grief and described her dad as “an amazing man.”
“He’d give the clothes on his back if it would help someone,” she wrote. “He was truly one of a kind from his singing to his jokes he always made sure everyone around him was happy.”
“We lost a true hero, I love you more (than) words can describe dad and I’m trying to stay strong cause I know it breaks your heart to see me cry,” Alysha added.
Meanwhile, OFM investigators are expected to remain at the house for another day or two.
A day after an Oshawa house fire killed two adults and two kids, investigators from Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal sifted through charred debris on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.
Derstroff said they are trying to determine if there were working smoke detectors in the home.
“There is some evidence that we see some smoke alarm mounts on some of the levels (of the house) but there’s a lot of damage, so we have to excavate the scene methodically so we can uncover that evidence,” he said.
In the wake of the deadly blaze, Derstroff urged people to ensure they have working smoke alarms on every floor of your home and in each bedroom.