Two Dead, Woman Injured In La Ronge Fire
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 16:34
A suspicious fire at an apartment complex in La Ronge early this morning has claimed the lives of a man and an infant boy.
The RCMP say the man and the four-month-old boy were in an apartment when the fire broke out shortly after midnight.
A female resident of the same apartment is in critical condition.
The Mounties say several other tenants suffered minor injuries, and were treated at the scene and released.
La Ronge Fire Chief Ron Pratt says the fire broke out on the fourth floor of the building, which sustained extensive damage.
While this event is tragic, Pratt says it could have easily been even worse. He notes that most people in the building made it out of the building safely, which was very fortunate.
There are reports that 34 families have been displaced by this morning’s fire.
Both the RCMP and the fire department suspect arson, and the Mounties note another fire took place a few hours later at a vacant home just two blocks from the apartment building, causing severe damage.
The RCMP’s Major Crimes unit out of Saskatoon and the Office of the Fire Commissioner are investigating.
Leadership from the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, the Town of La Ronge, Victim Services and other community organizations met late Monday afternoon to discuss a course of action.