Toddler dies in Langley farmhouse fire

A two-year-old boy died in a farmhouse fire in B.C.'s Fraser Valley Friday morning despite his father's attempt to pull him from the burning home.

The fire broke out at around 8:30 a.m. PT at a home near 272 Street and 82nd Avenue, in a rural area of Langley known as Glen Valley.

Police confirmed the mother and her three children were inside at the time. The mother was able to get two of her children out, but was then blocked by the growing inferno and couldn't make it back inside to search for the toddler.

The boy's father was able to get inside, but in the thick smoke he could not find his two-year-old son.

Tim Killey, a friend who spoke on behalf of the family, also tried to go in.

"I attempted entry with the dad," he said. "My history and background is with the fire sprinkler business so I'm well aware of fire, I'm well aware of things like flashover. My opinion isthe house was definitely fully engulfed on one side,and there was just no possible way anybodycould get into the house."

When firefighters arrived, they went in with a hose, hoping to soak back the flames long enough to allow them to locate the boy and carry him outside. The crew found the boy, but he was unresponsive.

The child was carriedout and given CPR until paramedics arrived and took over, but he did not survive.

"I'm broken up," Killeysaid. "I stood here and watched and knew there was nothing I could do."

The mother, father and two children were taken to hospital for observation.

Their names have not been released.

Firefighters put outthe blaze eventually,but there are no hydrants in the areaand crews had to rely on water brought in on the firetrucks. The home was completely destroyed.

Pastor Lorin Bergen of the Fort Langley Evangelical Free Churchinformed CBC News that donations of goods of practical assistance are being accepted at the church, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to3:30 p.m.

Bergen also said that atrust fund, the "Langley Home Fire Fund,"has been been set upto help the family.

Members of the public can make donations at Westminster Savings,or at any of theCoast Capital Savings Credit Unionbranches located across the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.

Map: 272 Street at 84 Avenue, Glen Valley area