The Mathias Colomb First Nation is "devastated" by the loss of three young boys to a house fire, a resident of the Pukatawagan Reserve in northern Manitoba said.
Troi Castel-Lapansee, 3, and Robert Castel-Lapansee Jr., 4, and their cousin, Letrel Bighetty-Castel, 5, died of smoke inhalation, according to autopsies. They died on Monday when their mobile home was consumed by fire.
"People are just devastated. Crying. Pretty much bawling their eyes out with grief, overwhelming grief," Wilfred Sinclair told CBC News.
The boys were grandchildren of Mathias Colomb Chief Shirley Castelm. Their uncle, Simon Nicholas, 57, who was babysitting at the time, is being treated for smoke inhalation.
Ron Evans, the grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, blamed poor housing conditions for the boys' deaths. He said reserves don't have adequate fire departments.
The Pukatawagan reserve is home to about 1,500 people.
Get the Story:'Overwhelming grief' over deaths of 3 Pukatawagan boys (CBC 3/12)
Wake tonight for child fire victims (The Winnipeg Free Press 3/12)
First Nation firefighters facing difficult conditions (The Winnipeg Free Press 3/12)
Three children died from smoke inhalation: autopsy (CTV 3/12)
Mobile homes blamed after fire kills three boys (CanWest News Service 3/12)
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Three children dead in fire on Manitoba reserve (3/12)
