'It's not what she deserved': London woman, 29, fondly remembered after OEV fire death

'It's not what she deserved': London woman, 29, fondly remembered after OEV fire death

Vanessa Orellana was a bubbly friend who stood up for what she believed in, says friend

A London, Ont., woman has died in hospital after being critically injured in a blaze in Old East Village Friday morning that left three people in critical condition, police said.

Friends and family are grieving the loss of 29-year-old Vanessa Orellana, who lived at 745 Dundas St. where the fire took place.

Jaylynn Taranto, who knew Orellana for more than a decade, remembers her as a bubbly person and good friend who stood up for what she believed in.

“There's no way I could ever put into words how much she meant to me or how much I loved her,” said Tarando. “She always held a special place in my heart.”

Taranto was completely shocked by the news, she said. “It doesn't seem real. I don't want to accept the reality of it.”

She went to Victoria Hospital to visit Orellana on Sunday to say her goodbyes, she said.

“You worry about them every day hoping that something doesn't happen. And this is just not anything I ever expected. It's not what she deserved,” she said.

Ontario Fire Marshal's Office investigating

The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office and London Police Services' Major Crime Section continue to investigate the fire.

Firefighters began fighting the blaze around 10 a.m. Friday as smoke and flames were seen pouring from the building's second-floor windows.

3 people in critical condition after fire at East London rental house under fire code investigation

The damage has been estimated at $500,000, according to police.

London Fire Department Deputy Chief Gary Bridge told CBC News on Friday that eight to 10 people were inside the house when crews arrived.

Police didn't have an update Monday on the status of the other two people in critical condition.

Bridge said the property had been the subject of an ongoing fire code investigation and the matter is before the courts. Property records show the building is owned by Radium-1 Development Ltd.

City staffed confirmed the building owners were made aware of outstanding Property Standards and Building Code orders earlier this year. The London Fire Department previously told CBC the damage to the building is so extensive that residents won't be able to return for some time. It is working with the Canadian Red Cross and community partners to find temporary accommodations for displaced tenants.

3 people critically injured in fire in east London

Michelle Both is the producer for CBC London. She has roots in rural Ontario and holds a master's degree in journalism and communication from Western University. You can reach her at michelle.both@cbc.ca.