On January 2, 2010, shortly after 4am, the RCMP Shamattawa Detachment members were dispatched to a house fire on Riverside Road in the community of Shamattawa.
RCMP attended the scene and attempted to contact the local fire department without success. A civilian at the scene informed the RCMP members that he had spotted the house on fire, broke down the door and yelled out for anyone inside the residence without any response back. Due to flames and smoke no one could go inside the house.
The following day, RCMP located the owner’s residence in the community and since they were safe and there were no indications that anyone else was in the residence, it was believed that the fire was only structural in nature.
On January 4, 2010 shortly after 7pm, RCMP were notified by a councilor that an 11-year-old local boy was missing. Efforts by the RCMP, local Band Constables and Band Councilors to locate the 11-year-old were unsuccessful.
Today, the RCMP with the assistance of the Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner, were able to go through the rubble and found a deceased individual. The identity of the deceased, while suspected, cannot be confirmed until such time as an autopsy can be completed. Where and when the autopsy will occur has yet to be confirmed.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The house burned to the ground and was a total loss.
Sgt. Line Karpish
RCMP Media Relations
(204) 983-8497
