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
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.