Recovery efforts continue after fatal Port Colborne fire

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Recovery efforts to find the bodies of a Port Colborne mother and her two children after a fatal fire Wednesday morning has been challenging for fire crews. Heavy machinery was brought in for the second straight day but authorities say it is a delicate process that is being hampered by the weather.

“We’re in the process of recovering a victim that we located in the upper level bedroom. It is a difficult scene to work though because we have some severe damage to the structure.” Richard Derstroff, Fire Marshal’s office.

Crews are working to recover the bodies of 37-year-old Tammy Burd and her children 2-year-old Josh and 15-year-old Samantha. Investigators haven’t id the bodies. The children’s great-grandmother, 83-year-old Eva burd was the fourth family member to die in the blaze. She was pulled from the burning home when crews arrived, but was pronounced dead shortly after. A GoFund me page has been set-up to pay for funeral costs.

Niagara regional police said its priority today is to get inside and recover the bodies. However the search was put on hold for most of the afternoon because crews are waiting for de-icing equipment. Police will continue recovery efforts tomorrow morning in hopes of bringing closure to the family.