1 dead, 4 injured in early morning house fire on Malahat First Nation
An 18-year-old woman is dead and four people are recovering from injuries after a fire on the Malahat First Nation reserve early Thursday morning.
Steve Henry - a member of the Malahat Nation council and a relative of the family whose home was burned - told CTV News Vancouver Island that the blaze started between 1:30 and 2 a.m.
By the time he arrived, around 2:30 a.m., the house was fully engulfed in flames, Henry said.
There were five people inside the home at the time the fire broke out, according to Henry. The four who survived were taken to hospital, where one - a young man - is still recovering from minor burns. The other three were treated for smoke inhalation and released, Henry said.
Now, the Malahat Nation is rallying support for the survivors. Henry said the family lost everything in the fire, so donations of clothes, furniture and other essentials can be dropped off at the Malahat Nation office.
There is also a GoFundMe page that has raised more than $1,000 for the family so far.
Shawnigan Lake RCMP said in a news release that they are investigating the fatal fire. The BC Coroners Service is also investigating.
While the police investigation is in its early stages, RCMP said initial evidence suggests the fire was not criminal in nature.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Police in Paris detain a man wearing fake explosives vest at Iran's Consulate
A man wearing a fake explosive vest and making threats was detained Friday outside the Iranian Consulate in Paris after police locked down the area, authorities said. His motive was unclear.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.