Brampton landlord sentenced for 2023 fatal house fire

A landlord in Brampton, Ontario, has been sentenced to 135 days in custody following a 2023 house fire that killed a pregnant woman and her three-year-old daughter. The conviction follows seven charges laid under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, including offences related to fire separations and the failure to maintain smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Investigators determined that the property at 47 Jade Crescent had been illegally converted from a legal two-unit dwelling into four units without the necessary permits. These additional units were rented out despite failing to meet Ontario Building Code and Fire Code requirements. Another family member sustained lifelong injuries during the blaze.

In addition to the jail time, the landlord was ordered to pay $50,000 in fines, $10,000 in victim surcharges, and serve two years of probation. Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown described the incident as a tragedy the community will not forget, emphasizing that property owners have a legal and moral obligation to ensure rental safety.