Mother, son die in house fire in Digby early Saturday

A mother and son died in a house fire in Digby, N.S., early Saturday.

The victims are Brenda Vidito, 65, and Deker Taylor, 31.

Digby Fire Chief Robert Morgan said crews were called to a structure fire on Montague Row in the south end of DIgby at 5:50 a.m.

When they arrived they found the back of the house engulfed in flames and heavy smoke at the front. 

Morgan said firefighters were told that the house may have had two occupants and started a search of the premises. 

They discovered one person upstairs and one downstairs. Both were dead.

Tragedy 'affects everybody'

Peter Janson, who lives across the road from the home, said the woman and her son were well known in the small community.

He said another neighbour was out walking around 5:30 a.m. when he saw the flames and ran back to his home to get his phone and call the fire department. 

"[He] tried to go over and get in the house, " Janson said. "But everything was locked up. He was banging on the door. No response."

He said the fire department arrived quickly and he saw fire trucks from several regional fire departments assisting. 

Janson said Vidito had mobility problems and "she couldn't move fast at all."

"No one knew if they were there or if they were away at the time because she didn't drive anymore," he said. 

"Deker's father came by. He was really shaken up when he found out what had happened."

"Small town, very small town, very close," Janson said. "It affects everybody."

A firefighter sustained a knee injury at the scene but is recovering.

Police were still at the home on Saturday afternoon. A RCMP press release said the cause of the fire does not appear suspicious.