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Child dies in house fire
Heroics of 12-year-old boy saves others
Samantha Stokell
A 12-year-old boy rescued an 11-month-old baby and got the six to eight other people in the house up and out when the fire started early in the morning on Sunday, Oct. 16. The Inuvik RCMP was the first to arrive at the smoke-filled house at 6:30 a.m. "The heroics of the 12-year-old ... he had the thought for recovering and saving the life of the 11-month-old," said Staff Sgt. Wayne Norris. "It's tragic in any event, but looking in the entirety, it could have been a lot worse." When RCMP arrived, bystanders told officers a two-year-old was on the second floor. Two officers entered the smoke-filled building and retrieved the child from the area, which they report was "engulfed in smoke." The child was not breathing at the time and was pronounced deceased later at the Inuvik Regional Hospital. Town councillor and former firefighter Vince Sharpe put forward a motion to nominate the boy for three medals of bravery for his actions. He's the bravest boy Sharpe ever saw, he said, after delivering a laptop to him in the hospital. "I don't know how to put it into words, but someone so determined to save his sister from dying ... He put his life on the line and that should be recognized and awarded." The other people in the house at the time of the fire received burns, but none are in life-threatening condition, though some are in hospital. The community is gathering together and providing for the family left homeless by the fire, the parents and four children. Donations of clothing and household items are being accepted at the Anglican Church of Ascension on Mackenzie Road. They have already received a lot of blankets, as well as cups and a donated washer and dryer, but could use plates and boys clothing. The church will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sir Alexander Mackenzie School is also running a clothing drive for the children. Clothes needed are for an infant girl aged 11 months, a boy size 10 to 12, and two boys size 16 or men's small or medium for hoodies and sweaters. The school asks that people call before dropping off donations to ensure the supplies are needed. An investigation is currently ongoing by G Division Major Crimes unit, the G Division Forensics unit, the NWT Coroner's Office and the territorial fire marshal. The forensics unit is tagging and identifying the scene, in co-operation with the fire marshal. Once the death has been identified as not criminal, it is turned over to the coroner. An autopsy will be performed on the two-year-old in Edmonton.
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