Tiar Wilson, aptn National News
There has been another deadly fire in a Manitoba First Nation community.
41 year old Daphne Benjoe died of smoke inhalation after the house she was in burst into flames on the weekend.
Benjoe’s 16 year old sister Alandice Benjoe is in critical condition in a Winnipeg hospital.
Prairie Nelson is a neighbour and Daphne Benjoe’s step daughter.
“it was hard for me to believe that something like that happened so quickly.”
Authorities say the fire started in the kitchen. A member of the household was cooking but passed out while the stove was still on.
Nelson was surprised.
“the next thing you know the windows were breaking.”
A lot of people are upset including the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.
This tragedy follows in the wake of another deadly fire. Last week in St. Theresa Point 2 month old Errabella Harper died when the wood stove burned the house to the ground.
The AMC is wondering how many people have to die before the issue is made a priority.
Equipment issues:
In Roseau, a fire truck from a nearby town arrived on the scene but the closest fire hydrant to the scene was frozen.
In St. Theresa Point, the fire truck was broken down. But even if it worked, there is no running water in the community. Dramatic home video shows community members desperately shovelling snow into the house to control the flames.
Wood Stoves:
There is a common theme developing in First Nations communities. In the past 5 years, most fires have been caused by a wood stove. Ron Evans, the Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is calling on the provincial and federal governments to develop a fire prevention plan with First Nations communities.
“these tragedies will continue to be there, we will continue to experience them because we are not dealing with
the real issue.”
Federal Study:
The federal government started to look at fires in First Nations communities last year after 2 year old Curtis Laporte was killed in his home on the Long Plain First Nation. But that study is far from finished and it could take years before the results are in.
In the meantime, the chief of the Roseau River First Nation says people also need to protect themselves.
“chief and council cant be standing over the stove in every house. its ridiculus for people to expect chief and council to deliver everything. its unrealistic.”
Nelson says people living on reserve need to start helping themselves by making sure they have working smoke
detectors, ensuring chimneys are clean of soot and stoves and curling irons are turned off before bed.
