Friends and family members of the two young women who died in fire on Claymor Ave. early Saturday morning have taken to social media to express their grief.
Several friends have identified one of the victims as Jasmine Gregory. Family members say Charmaine Collins also died in the fire.
By Sunday afternoon, a snow-covered bouquet of flowers and candle had been placed at the scene in their honour.
“I only met them quickly,” said Tim Sanders who lives around the corner. “They seemed like really nice girls, it’s really unfortunate.”
The blaze started just before 3 a.m. Saturday at the home just west of Ottawa’s Experimental Farm. Nine other people were treated for injuries including smoke inhalation and hypothermia.
The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal is investigating.
“We look at where the fire started and then we examine within that area of origin, we examine potential ignition sources,” said Scott Evenden.
“We look closely at ‘are there smoke alarms in the home? Are they where they should be? And did they operate?’” he said.
The investigation into what caused the fire could take months.
Fire officials say all fires should serve as a reminder to have an escape plan.
With a report from CTV’s Katie Griffin
