Ontario man killed while trying to rescue mom, son from east Toronto house fire to be honoured posthumously

A Toronto man who attempted to save a mother and her child from burning home, is set to be posthumously honoured with the Star of Courage.

A man from Southwestern Ontario who died more than five years ago while trying to rescue a woman and her seven-year-old son trapped inside their burning home in Toronto’s east end will be honoured posthumously for his bravery.

On Wednesday, Matthew Zdybal’s family will be travelling to Ottawa, where his mother, Nina, will be presented a Star of Courage on his behalf during a March 26 ceremony at Rideau Hall.

The Star of Courage, which has been given to fewer than 500 Canadians, is Canada’s second‑highest civilian bravery decoration, which recognizes “conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril.”

Fire killed 4 people

The fire that killed Zdybal, who was 31 and hailed from Norfolk County, broke out around 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 29, 2021. It engulfed a two-storey house at 95 Gainsborough Rd., which is near Gerrard Street East and Coxwell Avenue.

Zdybal, who had been doing renovations there and has spent the night, woke to find the residence in flames.

“He alerted others and fled the building. After learning some people were still trapped inside, he re-entered the home and attempted to rescue a mother and her seven-year-old child,” a short text describing why he was selected for the Star of Courage read.

“Sadly, Matthew, the child and the child’s grandmother died during the incident.”

A fourth person, Amanda Freimanis, was also killed in the fire.

• READ MORE: Four people dead, several injured after 3-alarm house fire in Toronto’s east end

2 GTHA residents receiving Medal of Bravery

Two other GTHA residents are set to receive a Medal of Bravery, which is a national honour for Canadians who display “acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances,” on Thursday.

Adam Attalla, of Mississauga, is being honoured for safely guiding three children to safety through window and down to the ground from the top floor of a house that caught fire in Jan. 15, 2022. Attalla entered an adjoining house and climbed onto the roof the rescue the kids.

Kyleen Weldon, of Fort Erie, Ont., is being recognized for helping save two boys from drowning. Weldon saw two boys struggling in the water, one submerged and the other clinging to the rocks and swam out to them, fighting against the dangerous currents.

“She pulled the first to the surface and then helped the other, who was barely hanging on. Thankfully, neighbours arrived to help complete the rescue,” the award description said.

In total, 31 medals are set to be handed out by Governor General Mary Simon at the March 26 event.