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For immediate release
October 27, 2022
Treaty Five Territory, Thompson, MB – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Inc. is issuing the following statement in response to a fatal house fire in Thompson, Manitoba.
On October 26, 2022, around 8:40 pm, a home was engulfed in flames on Queens Bay in Thompson. Three residents, ages 62, 41, and 13, were able to safely escape from the burning home. Tragically, four children (ages 10, 9, 7, and 4) were trapped on the second floor of the home.
The children were taken to hospital, where they passed away due to injuries due to the fire.
Grand Chief Garrison Settee shares the following:
“On behalf of MKO, I express the grief we are all feeling in response to a house fire in Thompson, which has sadly claimed the lives of four children. The loss of children due to such a tragedy is heartbreaking. I extend prayers to the surviving family members.
Children are the heart of our communities. This tragedy will impact people in Thompson but also in MKO First Nations, as the family has ties to two of our communities. I stand with all those who are mourning.
MKO’s Mobile Crisis Response Team will be assisting in supporting our community members. MKO has also reached out to the school where the children were students—we will be working with the school to show our support to the students who are grappling with such devastating news about their peers.
I ask all Manitoba residents to keep this family and the impacted MKO Nations in your thoughts and prayers in the coming days.”
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For more information:
Melanie Ferris, MKO Communications
Phone: 204-612-1284
