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Murder charges laid in Edmonton house fire that claimed life of baby boy

Click to play video: 'Two charged in house fire which killed baby boy'
Two charged in house fire which killed baby boy
WATCH ABOVE: Two charged in house fire which killed baby boy – Aug 27, 2017

Edmonton police have laid second-degree murder charges after an arson that claimed the life of a five-month-old baby boy.

Investigators believe the fire started when outdoor patio furniture was purposely set on fire near the front door of the home in the Ambleside neighbourhood.

Bronson Woycenko, 19, has been charged with second-degree murder, arson: disregard for human life and mischief under $5,000.

Jessica Tammerand, 18, has been charged with arson: disregard for human life and mischief under $5,000.

Watch below: On Aug. 28, 2017, Kendra Slugoski filed this report after one of the two people charged in last week’s deadly fire in Edmonton’s Ambleside neighbourhood was released on bail. 

Click to play video: '1 of 2 suspects charged in deadly Edmonton fire released on bail'
1 of 2 suspects charged in deadly Edmonton fire released on bail

The pair is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 1. Court records show no previous charges against Woycenko or Tammerand.

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Tammerand was released on $5,000 bail. Her boyfriend told Global News that she’s “holding up” and that there is more to the story but didn’t provide further details. He believes she’s innocent.

Cordell Brown, the father of the boy killed in the fire, confirmed to Global News that the pair had previously rented a room in the home. Brown said they were evicted three times from various properties that he owned.

WATCH: A day after his five-month-old son Hunter died and Edmonton police opened an arson and homicide investigation into the incident, Cordell Brown spoke about his loss.
Click to play video: 'Father speaks after baby dies following south Edmonton arson'
Father speaks after baby dies following south Edmonton arson

He alleged the pair stole from him, smoked in the home and caused damage.

Cordell Brown speaks to reporters a day after Edmonton police announced charges have been laid in connection with the fire that killed his young son. Geoff Stickle/ Global News

“I kept giving them chances because I was hoping that if I was nice to them, they would grow up, mature and take responsibility and act like adults,” Brown said.

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According to Brown, Woycenko and Tammerand had lived in the home that was involved in the fire for about a month and were evicted in February.

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Brown said he last spoke with Woycenko three days before the fire.

Kyle Whitford, who lived in the basement of the house said Woycenko and Tammerand were quiet people.

“Cordell was just a generous person and gave them quite a few chances,” Whitford told Global News. “I can’t remember exactly how long they were there for.”

READ MORE: Baby boy’s death a homicide, house fire deliberately set: Edmonton police

A call was made to 911 shortly before 4 a.m. Tuesday, regarding a fire on Armitage Crescent S.W.

When firefighters arrived on scene, they entered the home and rescued a mother and child from the second floor while the house was engulfed in flames. The pair was taken to hospital by ambulance in serious condition.

The baby, named Hunter, died in hospital. His 29-year-old mother, Angie Tang, remains in hospital.

On Sunday, Tang’s family issued a statement on Angie’s behalf.

“She is now aware of the arrests that were made and is beginning to consider decisions around Hunter’s final resting place,” the statement reads. “She is very touched by the outpouring of support from everyone, especially through the GoFundMe page for her and Hunter.”

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Angie Tang is seen in a photo with her son Hunter. Supplied by family
Watch below: His baby is dead and his wife is fighting for her life and now, an Edmonton father is asking anyone with information about a horrific case of arson to call police. Kendra Slugoski reports.
Click to play video: 'Edmonton dad speaks after his baby boy dies following fire'
Edmonton dad speaks after his baby boy dies following fire

“Losing my son was my whole life,” Brown said on Sunday. “He was my whole life. He was the cutest baby you could possibly imagine.

“I can’t cope, I honestly can’t cope,” he added. “I can’t eat, I can’t breathe, I can’t think, I can’t do anything.”

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Eight people lived in the home. Edmonton Fire Rescue Services operations deputy chief Scott Macdonald said the six other people were able to make it out of the house on their own before fire crews arrived.

An autopsy determined Hunter died from smoke inhalation.

READ MORE: Father of baby boy who died in Edmonton arson speaks out

Police continue to investigate.

The boy’s death is Edmonton’s 32nd homicide of the year.

-With files from Julia Wong, Phil Heidenreich, Caley Ramsay and Slav Kornik

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