A fire has claimed the lives of twin toddlers who were trapped on the second floor of a burning home in MacKenzie, B.C. early Tuesday morning.
Five family members were inside the home on Kerry Crescent when the blaze broke out at around 7:30 a.m. By the time MacKenzie RCMP and fire crews arrived on scene, the house was fully engulfed in flames.
RCMP said police, firefighters, parents and a civilian did everything they could to rescue the 18-month-olds, but the fire was too aggressive.
The twin brother and sister, Joseph and Gabriel, died inside their bedroom.
"Feb. 22 would have been their second birthday. They were such a joy to my daughter's life and to everybody that they came into contact with -- just such joyful children," the twins' grandmother Debra Baxter said.
"I wish I would wake up from my nightmare...It doesn't sink in, you close your eyes and you think please be a dream."
The parents and a three-year-old sibling were able to escape and are being treated at the Mackenzie District Hospital, RCMP Const. Lesley Smith told CTV.
Smith said the family lived in a well-established neighbourhood in the northern B.C. town.
"It's a very close-knit community. It's extremely tragic not only for the family, but the entire community is going to be affected by this horrible situation," she said.
Police are asking the community to stay away from the area as crews fight to extinguish the fire.
The cause of the blaze is unknown and an investigation will be conducted.
A logging truck ran into a utility pole Monday night, disrupting power and cutting off 911 service in the MacKenzie area, but police said it was restored by 2 a.m. Tuesday.
If you witnessed the blaze or have photos or videos to share, email bcassign@ctv.ca
