A Port Moody mother of six is dead after an apparent domestic dispute and house fire Sunday afternoon and her husband has been charged with second-degree murder — leaving their children, five of whom were at home at the time of the incident and narrowly escaped by clambering out of the second-floor window, without their parents.
Neighbours of the family on Dewdney Trunk Road recalled a terrifying scene as the incident quickly unfolded shortly before 1:30 p.m.
"The fire was roaring pretty good and the windows started blowing out," said Carol Atkins, who ran across the street when she heard the sirens stop just outside her townhouse complex.
She didn't know the family but exchanged hellos when walking by and described them as friendly.
A resident of the trailer park about a block away said he'd also chatted briefly with the couple and had spoken to the man about an hour before the fire broke out. He was walking back past the house when the windows started "popping and cracking. It was just awful," he said.
Other residents of the area agreed the family generally kept to themselves; two reported seeing police at the home before but couldn't say when.
Port Moody Police were called to the home just before 1:30 p.m. to respond to a domestic dispute in progress but officers arrived to find the home engulfed in flames, with two adults still inside.
Officers acted quickly to retrieve the occupants and located a woman suffering from extensive burns. She was immediately taken to hospital but succumbed to her injuries just after 6 p.m. Sunday.
The woman's husband was treated at the scene for burns to his leg and smoke inhalation, and was then arrested.
NEIGHBOURS HELPED
The couple have six children ranging in age from five to 18 years old; one of them made the initial 911 call before the fire broke out and they were forced to escape from the top floor of the home.
"Those children, due to their quick thinking and remaining calm, were able to evacuate the home from the second floor… with the assistance of neighbours in area who assisted with moving a ladder to help them escape," said Sgt. Jennifer Pound of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).
The five children were taken in by neighbours whose children attended the same school, and contacted the eldest, who was not home at the time. One suffered minor injuries and all were given medical care.
"We'd see [the mother] and the kids out front and we'd give them Popsicles," said the woman, who asked that her name not be used. "She was a wonderful mom."
As they were comforting the children, the neighbour said, one of them kept repeating, "My mom is so strong, she's always protected us. She's a strong woman."
"This incident is one that is tragic beyond words," said Pound. "It's one of those cases that's extremely difficult on many levels… and it's difficult for the investigators as well.
"Our hearts go out to the kids. It's going to be a long journey ahead for them but we're working hard to get to the bottom of it."
Pound also praised neighbours and passers-by who stopped to help the children get to safety.
PRAISE FOR POLICE
One such person was Jim Wilcox, a Port Moody resident who was on his way home from Surrey and decided to take a back route to get up to Heritage Mountain.
He was helping the children get down from the roof as Port Moody Police officers arrived and praised their quick efforts to save the lives of those still inside.
"It could have been a lot worse if the police didn't take the actions that they did," Wilcox said, adding, "They do such good work and it goes unnoticed."
After retrieving the adults, neighbours told police of the two basement tenants; the two young women weren't home at the time but officers went in to rescue their dog.
Chief Const. Chris Rattenbury said he'd received positive feedback about the work of the officers and said members "always seem to go the extra mile to help others."
"I am always very proud of the work that the officers do every day and how much they care about this city," he said.
THE INVESTIGATION
IHIT continues to investigate and has not yet revealed the cause of the fire. The names of the adults have not been released as investigators continue to search for the woman's next of kin; the father's name is not being released to protect the children's privacy.
Investigators are also hoping to obtain photo and video footage taken during the fire. Anyone with information is asked to contact the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-4448.
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