Justin Trudeau visits community gathering held after fatal Halifax house fire

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was among hundreds of people who attended a community vigil in Halifax’s Grand Parade Square on Wednesday in the wake of a fatal house fire that claimed the lives of seven children.

Ahmed, 15, Rola, 12, Mohammed, 10, Ghala, 9, Hala, 4, Rana, 3 and four-month-old Abdullah died in the early morning blaze at a home on Quartz Drive on Tuesday.

All seven children were from the Barho family, Syrian refugees who came to Nova Scotia in 2017.

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The children’s parents, Ebraheim and Kawthar, were taken to hospital.

Ebraheim, the children’s father, was badly burned while trying to rescue his kids and is in life-threatening condition. Kawthar Barho was also injured but is expected to survive.

WATCH: Halifax MP says he’s doing everything he can to bring Barho family’s relatives to Canada

4:54 Halifax MP says he’s doing everything he can to bring Barho family’s relatives to Canada

Natalie Horne, of the organization that sponsored the Barho family, spoke through tears as she described the personalities of the children.

She noted they were all unique and individual.

READ MORE: Details emerge about Halifax fire that killed 7

“Ahmad, the oldest, was a jokester who had the best sense of humour, and like many 14-year-old boys, he loved girls,” said Horne, evoking laughter from the crowd.

“Rola, who was 12, was a little mother to all of the children and she excelled academically and wanted so much to do well in school.”

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Mohamad was an excellent athlete, Ola loved to dance, Hala had a big personality, Rana was sweet and Abdullah was adored by his mother, said Horne, who works with Hants East Assisting Refugee Team Society.

WATCH: Global News coverage of the fatal house fire

3:39 Halifax rallies around Syrian couple after deadly fire

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• Syrian community rally to support family killed in Halifax fire
• 7 children killed in Halifax house fire, 2 adults sent to hospital
• Police: We know the community has gone through a real tragedy following deadly Halifax fire
• Halifax fire services: House fire is ‘largest loss’ in recent memory
• Fire attack was very efficient despite the weather: deputy fire chief
• Seven children confirmed killed in deadly Halifax fire: firefighters
• 7 children killed, 2 adults sent to hospital after Halifax house fire
• ‘Something out of a horror movie’: Neighbour recounts night of Halifax house fire

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— With files from the Canadian Press