Unattended oil on stove cause of North York fire that killed father and daughter
Posted March 11, 2010 5:38 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – An unattended pot of oil on the stove caused the North York house fire that claimed the lives of a 12-year-old girl and her father, fire officials said Friday.
Ken Einboden, 44, died Sunday afternoon after pulling his children, Britney and infant daughter Kendra, out of their burning home. His daughter, Britney, died on Monday at the Hospital for Sick Children. Kendra was treated in hospital and released.
The fire started in the kitchen of the home just before 3 p.m. on Sunday and quickly spread.
Fire officials said the pot of boiling oil on the stove eventually exploded causing a grease fire in the kitchen.
Deputy fire chief Frank Lamie said the main smoke detector didn’t have a working battery.
“If all the smoke alarms in the home worked, and if everybody heard them because we’re not sure if the daughter in her bedroom had headphones on listening to music, there’s no reason in that sized home that they shouldn’t have escaped,” Lamie said.
Meanwhile, Jackie McGregor, the wife and mother, thanked the public Thursday for their overwhelming support.
McGregor was not home at the time of the fire.
As she spoke outside her home on Kemp Square, located in the Black Creek Drive and Lawrence Avenue West area, Jackie said people have donated diapers, baby clothes and other supplies to help her and her baby.
Through tears, she added “sleeping is hard, you know. [I] just think of Britney’s last smile that I seen and giving Ken a kiss goodbye when I left home and then coming home and Ken’s not here and seeing Britney over there on the grass, somebody trying to save her life, you know.”
Jackie said baby Kendra will grow up knowing her father was a hero and her big sister was an angel.
People have piled teddy bears, cards and flowers up against the lamppost beside the house in honour of Britney and her father.
A visitation will be held on Friday at Ward Funeral Home (2035 Weston Rd.). The funeral service will be held at United Church, located beside the funeral home.
For those who want to help the family, a trust fund has been set up at RBC (branch number 5812, account number 5037684).
