Children among fire fatalities

A Nova Scotia fishing village is shaken after a fire left several people dead early Sunday, including at least two children, according to the Canadian Red Cross.

RCMP Cpl. Jennifer Clarke said there were multiple fatalities in the house fire in Pubnico Head, N.S, near Yarmouth, but she could not confirm how many people died or their ages.

Four children lived in the now-destroyed home and their father is being treated in hospital, where his common-law wife is with him, said Red Cross spokesperson Melanie Macdonald.

Yarmouth Red Cross volunteer Janine Muise said she spoke to a man who called for the agency’s assistance over the noon hour and told her two of his greatgrandchildren died in the fire, which was reported to police shortly after midnight.

“He as you probably understand was quite distraught,” said Muise.

Macdonald said the commonlaw couple lived in the home with their blended family, and the greatgrandfather said an infant boy was among those killed in the blaze.

“The grandfather we spoke with was the grandfather of the lady of the house, and he did mention that he lost two of his great-grandchildren,” said Macdonald. “There were three other children in the house, but the only thing we know of agewise is there was an infant boy.”

Clarke said the RCMP are in early stages of a “complex” investigation, and would not say whether the fire is believed to be suspicious.

Dozens of firefighters battled the blaze for a couple of hours, said Troy Amirault, deputy chief of the West Pubnico Fire Department, but the house was destroyed, with only one wall left standing.