NEW DELHI: An Indian-origin couple and their teenage daughter lost their lives in a “suspicious” fire in Ontario, that ravaged their home last week, reports Canada police officials said.
The incident occurred on March 7, when a fire broke out at a residence in the Big Sky Way and Van Kirk Drive area of Brampton, as stated in a press release by Peel Police.
Following the extinguishing of the flames, investigators discovered what appeared to be human remains within the burnt-out house. However, at the time, the exact number of casualties couldn’t be confirmed.
Subsequently, the charred remains were identified on Friday as belonging to three family members: 51-year-old Rajiv Warikoo, his wife 47-year-old Shilpa Kotha, and their 16-year-old daughter, Mahek Warikoo.
Constable Taryn Young of Peel Police stated on Friday that the fire is being treated as suspicious.
“At this time, we are investigating this with our homicide bureau, and we are deeming this as suspicious as the Ontario Fire Marshal has deemed that this fire was not accidental,” the report quoted Young as saying.
“There’s not much left to it,” Young said when asked about the possible cause of the fire.
She further added, “Looking into something like that as a fire marshal, I’m sure it’s very tough when there is not much left to look at. But we are exhausting all avenues.”
Kenneth Yousaf, the deceased family’s neighbour, said that the family was living there from past 15 years, and he never noticed anything suspecious.
Yousaf said he was alerted to the fire last week by a family member, who heard a big “bang.”
“When we came out, the house was on fire. So sad. Within a few hours, everything was down to the ground,” the report quoted Yousaf as saying.
According to a press release, authorities stated that they are actively investigating the deaths of the three family members and encouraged anyone with relevant information to step forward.
“The circumstances surrounding the house fire remains the focus of an active investigation, and anyone with information or video footage (dashcam or otherwise) is urged to contact Homicide detectives,” police said.
The incident occurred on March 7, when a fire broke out at a residence in the Big Sky Way and Van Kirk Drive area of Brampton, as stated in a press release by Peel Police.
Following the extinguishing of the flames, investigators discovered what appeared to be human remains within the burnt-out house. However, at the time, the exact number of casualties couldn’t be confirmed.
Subsequently, the charred remains were identified on Friday as belonging to three family members: 51-year-old Rajiv Warikoo, his wife 47-year-old Shilpa Kotha, and their 16-year-old daughter, Mahek Warikoo.
Constable Taryn Young of Peel Police stated on Friday that the fire is being treated as suspicious.
“At this time, we are investigating this with our homicide bureau, and we are deeming this as suspicious as the Ontario Fire Marshal has deemed that this fire was not accidental,” the report quoted Young as saying.
“There’s not much left to it,” Young said when asked about the possible cause of the fire.
She further added, “Looking into something like that as a fire marshal, I’m sure it’s very tough when there is not much left to look at. But we are exhausting all avenues.”
Kenneth Yousaf, the deceased family’s neighbour, said that the family was living there from past 15 years, and he never noticed anything suspecious.
Yousaf said he was alerted to the fire last week by a family member, who heard a big “bang.”
“When we came out, the house was on fire. So sad. Within a few hours, everything was down to the ground,” the report quoted Yousaf as saying.
According to a press release, authorities stated that they are actively investigating the deaths of the three family members and encouraged anyone with relevant information to step forward.
“The circumstances surrounding the house fire remains the focus of an active investigation, and anyone with information or video footage (dashcam or otherwise) is urged to contact Homicide detectives,” police said.