The father of a man who lost his partner and three young children in a house fire earlier this month said he is hesitant to break the news to his son since he was awakened from an induced coma.

Ronald Desjardins has been advised by a psychiatrist to tell his 26-year-old son Martin about the Aug. 12 tragedy.

But Ronald told CBC News Martin’s recurring nightmares about the blaze have put him in a tough spot.

"He acts like he's still in the fire sometimes, when he jumped out of the window with a baby in his arms," Ronald said, wanting to be at his son’s side when he shares the news. "But I know if he asks the question, I won't lie."

Ronald Desjardins said he has been hesitant to tell his son Martin that he has lost his partner and three children in an Aug. 12 house fire. Martin was awakened from an induced coma earlier this week. (CBC)

Martin's sister also said he has called for his 22-year-old partner Sarah and their three children, Maxime, Chloe and Jacob, as he recovers in Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital.

But Martin, who suffered burns to about 13 per cent of his body, was the lone survivor of the massive Alexandria, Ont. house fire. He managed to leap out of an upstairs window with 22-month-old Maxime, but Maxime died in the days following the fire.

"My mom called me yesterday and said he called 'Sarah' and was looking all around the room for her," said Natasha Desjardins, "and yesterday he mentioned Maxime, his middle child."

The burns, which cover Martin's arms, have also erased a tattoo on his right shoulder that used to bear his three children's names.

Father may already know family is gone

Ronald Desjardins added his son might know his partner and three children are gone, but he is not 100 per cent sure.

Martin is still on heavy medication and sleeps most of the day, according to his father, but remembers his own name and date of birth. He also recognizes his mother, father and sister.

I think he will be able to survive it, but he'll never forget it. I'll never forget it.

Martin's mother remains at his side in hospital and she constantly surveys her son.

"I think he will be able to survive it, but he'll never forget it. I'll never forget it," said Ronald.

The tragedy has struck a chord with the small community of Alexandria, about 100 kilometres east of Ottawa.

About $2,800 has been raised thus far for the two families thanks to donations collected at the local Giant Tiger, where money is still being accepted. An unknown individual also paid for the Aug. 19 funeral.

But the Desjardins family said they are struggling to afford to see their son, who they expect will be in hospital for another month.

Martin's mother has been living out of a Toronto hotel and it costs the family about $500 each time they go back and forth from Toronto to visit Martin.

The cause of the blaze is also still unknown, according to Ontario Fire Marshal Ted Wieclawek and the Ontario Provincial Police.

Four days after the fire, the fire marshal declared the upstairs smoke alarm was not working and the fire was based at the front door, which was also the home's only exit.