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A recently retired B.C. fire chief says he’s surprised that a fatal Halifax house fire investigation that claimed the lives of seven Syrian children has gone on for six months without any information being released to the public.

“After this length of time you would think there would be at least a reason provided by (Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency) for why the investigation has taken this long,” said Len Garis, who retired as Surrey fire chief in July. “Perhaps it’s that they need to interview someone or that they’re waiting on a lab result. Remaining silent just leads to more speculation.”

The parents of the Barho family were the only ones to survive the tragic Feb. 19 fire in Spryfield. The family fled to Canada from war-torn Syria. They arrived in 2017 with the hope of a better life and future.

Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency has been conducting the investigation. Deputy Fire Chief Dave Meldrum would not provide any information on the investigation, saying the department does not discuss “piecemeal details” of an open investigation.

A makeshift vigil popped up in front of the Barho's house on Quartz Road in Spryfield where seven children died in an early-morning fire in February. the home has since been demolished. - Ryan Taplin

“We recognize that it’s been six months and the community interest in this file is very, very high,” said Meldrum. “We will bring the information forward for the communities. When we do we hope the communities will understand that we are taking the time that we are taking to do a thorough and complete investigation.”

Meldrum admitted it’s unusual but not unheard of for an investigation of this nature to take as long as it has. He spoke generally about some of the issues that could complicate an investigation, saying none necessarily apply to this case.

“Often evidence needs to be analyzed. Sometimes evidence needs to go to labs in or outside the province for analysis.

“Often finding time and opportunity to interview witnesses takes a long time. There are numerous factors that can impact the timeline of a fire investigation.

“But I can guarantee as soon as we have information to bring forward (the media) will be notified and communities will be notified.”

The former B.C. fire chief said it’s vital residents learn what caused the fire and the circumstances that led to it spiralling out of control. But he also said the probe should also look at better ways of educating new immigrants and refugees on basic fire safety.

About 400 people attended a special community gathering in the Grand Parade just a few days after the seven Barho children perished in a fire. - Eric Wynne

“There’s obviously a public interest to prevent something like this from occurring again but the investigation should also probe or ask questions about how are we managing our immigrants and refugee status, in terms of preparing them and educating them in this new environment and making sure that they're safe.

“That’s as important or maybe more important than determining the cause. That’s important for officials of all levels of government to understand.”

Meldrum said the department works closely with various community groups on fire safety, including newly landed immigrants and refugees. He said Halifax Regional Municipality’s office of diversity and inclusion is working with Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) to establish regular fire safety classes with new arrivals to the municipality.

Since the tragedy the department has put on 13 fire safety information sessions for new immigrants and refugees to the city area.

“We have a future desire to have a regular and ongoing presence in their education for new entrants to Nova Scotia. That included teaching core skills in understanding fire prevention: electrical safety in the home, safe cooking methods, safe use of fire extinguisher, exit drills from the home.”

ISANS did not respond to requests for comment on Monday.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said the tragedy forced IRCC-funded service providers, such as ISANS, "to strengthen guidance material for settlement orientation sessions."

“This guidance material will include information on a variety of safety-related situations including: in the home, workplace, on the streets, personal safety, and weather-related safety,” said department spokeswoman Shannon Ker.

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