Fire leaves two young children, one woman dead in northern Ontario First Nation

WUNNUMIN LAKE, Ont. – Three people, including two young children, are dead following a house fire in a remote northern Ontario First Nations community.

Sgt. Jackie George of the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service says the blaze broke out Wednesday at about 9 a.m. at the Wunnumin Lake First Nation.

The dead have been identified as a one-year-old girl, a six-year-old girl and a 21-year-old woman, but there’s no word on their relationship to one another.

George says one person was injured after making repeated attempts to save those who were killed. That person, who isn’t being identified, is now in stable condition.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known and an investigator with the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office was on the way to the community Thursday.

A post-mortem examination is to take place in Toronto, however no date has been set.

Crisis teams have also been sent to the community of roughly 600 people, where officials say residents are devastated by the tragedy.

“It’s pretty hard for us right now,” said Chief Rod Winnipetonga. “Right now, I’m looking for any assistance that any communities can provide.”

The First Nation is located about 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.

(The Canadian Press/CKDR)