JUST IN: Tragedy as Hero Hockey Coach Dies Saving Son in Midnight Inferno
Hamilton, Ontario – May 7, 2025
A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded overnight in Hamilton as beloved youth hockey coach Owen “Coach O” MacKenzie lost his life in a house fire after rescuing his 8-year-old son from the flames.
The fire, which broke out just after midnight, ripped through the MacKenzie family home on Red Maple Drive. Investigators believe an electrical fault may have triggered the blaze, which quickly consumed the two-story house. Neighbors reported hearing screams and seeing heavy smoke as firefighters rushed to the scene.
According to fire officials, Coach MacKenzie safely led his young son out through a side entrance but turned back to search for other family members. He never made it out.
“He didn’t hesitate,” said Fire Captain Maria Lopez. “He went back into the fire without a second thought. That’s the kind of man he was—brave, selfless, a protector to the end.”
Coach O, 52, was a cornerstone of the Hamilton Huskies youth hockey program, mentoring players for over a decade. Known for his dedication on and off the ice, he was admired not just as a coach, but as a father figure to many.
“Coach O was the heart of our team,” said former player Tyler Grant. “He believed in every one of us, even when we didn’t believe in ourselves. His loss is a hole we’ll never fill.”
The fire left the home in ruins. Emergency crews continue their investigation, and the MacKenzie family is receiving support from friends, neighbors, and the broader hockey community. A candlelight vigil and memorial skate will be held this Friday at Centre Ice Arena to honor the legacy of a man who gave his life to save another.
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