Surrey house fire kills 2 young girls

The fire broke out at a home on the 9400 block of 125 Street just before 7 a.m. PT Tuesday, RCMP said.

Neighbours said they were awoken by the screams of a couple trapped on the roof of the two-storey home. 

"When I came out, I just saw [the] couple sitting on the roof screaming for help. And I just tried to get those guys out," said Tony Johal.

Neighbours used a ladder to rescue the couple, but nothing could be done to save two children who were still inside, they said.

After firefighters arrived, a total of seven people were eventually rescued from the home. Five of them suffered injuries, along with one firefighter, the RCMP said.

Deputy Fire Chief John Caviglia said the firefighter was seriously burned while searching the inside of the burning house.

"He was upstairs conducting a search and was hit with a significant amount of heat, and the heat caused steam burns," said Caviglia.

The firefighter suffered burns to his legs and torso and second- and third-degree burns around his ears and neck.

Neighbours said the extended family had moved into the home about six months ago and they believe the girls who died were aged four and two.

The fire blew out several large windows on both levels of the home and appeared to have gutted the interior.