Pets killed by burst steam pipe

[Catherine]

A couple went out for breakfast and left their pets in the bedroom. A steam pipe burst and they were scalded to death. It was a horrible death. If the couple had been home and still in bed they would have been killed too.
They are suing the rental company. They did lose everything and their pets suffered.
Weirdly, the rental company is countersuing for damages to the apartment caused by the burst pipe.


https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/co...-1.5294572

It is a horrible accident or it is a case of bad maintenance on the part of the rental company. It may not be possible to tell.
Certainly the couple deserves something. I can't believe the company is countersuing. It seems harsh and callous.
This couple has lost so much and the company wants to take more from them. Would they sue their estate if the couple had been killed?