Fatal house fire in St. Theresa Point, Manitoba.
On January 16, 2011, at about 12:30pm, the Island Lake RCMP were notified of a house fire in the Community of St. Theresa Point, Manitoba.
Investigation revealed that at the time of the fire there had been 6 children, aged 2 months to 13 years of age, asleep in the residence. An adult relative who had been looking after the children had gone next door for a moment when the fire began.
Four older children were able to escape the residence, however, a 16-month-old girl and a 2-month-old infant girl were still inside the home.
A Band Constable from St. Theresa Point entered the burning home through a bedroom window and rescued the 16-month-old girl. He was turned back by smoke and flames and could not reach the 2-month-old infant.
The Band Constable and a community member then cut a hole through the bedroom wall of the residence with a chain saw and they were able to reach the 2-month-old infant.
Both children were taken to the local nursing station for treatment. The 16-month-old girl was scheduled to be transported to Winnipeg for treatment of smoke inhalation.
The 2-month-old girl succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the nursing station.
Community Firefighters were eventually able to extinguish the blaze. The cause of the fire has not been determined at this time.
Investigators from the Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner are scheduled to attend to assist with the investigation.
No damage estimate is available for the residence and police continue to investigate.
Update 01/17/11 3:46pm
Investigators from the Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner have determined that the fire at the residence began in a chimney, and later spread through the attic and ultimately to the rest of the house.
