Orleans family mourns loss of 20-year-old Axel Karuranga

Orléans family mourns brother Axel Karuranga, 20, died on Wednesday morning after a fire broke out at his family's home. CTV's Mike Arsalides reports.

An Orleans family is mourning the loss of a son and brother; 20-year-old Axel Karuranga.

The young man, who was on the autism spectrum, died Wednesday morning when fire broke out and smoke filled his third-floor bedroom on Boake Street.

"This is a disaster, there's nothing anyone could have done; people see themselves in our shoes." said Gael Karuranga; grateful for the support his family has received from the community. The Karuranga family fled genocide in Rwanda 20 years ago and settled in Ottawa. Gael, who was not home at the time, is now preparing to say goodbye to a little brother and son who brought joy and lifted the family's spirits.

"You could always count on him to be at the door when you arrived home." said Gael. "That's something that is going to be really difficult to deal with; coming home to a home where he's not present."

Pamela Karuranga called Axel her baby boy; she said the family took turns co-parenting and helping raise the young man; who was non-verbal. Pamela noticed fire and smoke filling their home around 6:45am; she called out for her brother on the third floor but did not hear or see him.

"He loved people, he loved visitors." said Pamela. "He was our baby so I think I would just tell him I loved him and I don't know. We'd go to McDonalds." said his sister who often took him out for meals at McDonalds, watched moviesand to play at trampoline parks.