A Halifax neighbourhood is organizing a tribute to the seven young people killed in a house fire, and are inviting the rest of the city, province and country, to take part by putting a teddy bear on their front porch.

The children — ranging in age from four months to 14 years old — were killed Tuesday when an early-morning fire ripped through their Spryfield home.

The family had come to Canada in 2017, as privately-sponsored refugees after fleeing war-torn Syria.

Natalie Horne, vice-president of the Hants East Assisting Refugees Team, identified the father as Ebraheim Barho and the mother as Kawthar Barho. She said the children who died are: Ahmad, 14; Rola, 12; Mohamad, 9; Ola, 8; Hala, 3; Rana, 2 and Abdullah, who was born in Canada last November.

The parents remain in hospital. Ebraheim was said to be in critical condition, having suffered burns after trying to rescue the children.

Neighbours in the residential community of Governor’s Brook, where the home was situated, have decided to each put a teddy bear outside their doors to show support for the parents.

The organizer says the idea was inspired by a similar tribute last April, where Canadians put out hockey sticks on their front porch in memory of the 16 people killed in a bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team.

Meanwhile, support has been pouring in for the family. A GoFundMe campaign for the family is close to reaching its $300,000 goal — in less than 24 hours.

A growing memorial can be seen outside the Barho home, where neighbours held an impromptu vigil Tuesday night to support the family.

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