A fatal house fire in Peawanuck has claimed the lives of two children.
The fire occurred at about 1:20 a.m. on March 6 at the residence of Sam and Gloria Hunter, according to a police report Sam Hunter is the Chief of Peawanuck.
The two children who died in the fire are Dwayne Hunter, age 6, son of Sam and Gloria Hunter, as well as 6-year-old Kathryn Chookomolin, who was overnighting at the residence. She was the daughter of Louis and Marlene Chookomolin.
Another child, Justin (J.J.) Hunter, age 8, was rescued from the fire. J.J. was medevac’d to the Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto with extensive burns. His condition is presently listed as very critical.
A fourth child, Dana Hunter, age 18 months, was saved by being thrown out a window. Dana was sent to Weeneebayko General Hospital in Moose Factory. She is in stable condition. Gloria Hunter was also treated in Moose Factory. Sam Hunter was sent to the Toronto General Hospital with burns to his chest and feet.
Pauline Hunter, grandmother to the Hunter kids, was treated with minor burns at the nursing station.
Police say the fire was accidental in nature and caused by an overheated wood-burning stove in the basement.
The on-going investigation onto the fire is being done by the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service, with assistance from the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office and the Ontario Provincial Police.
