Two girls die in house fire; six escape

THURSO — Two young girls were killed and a third was in critical condition Wednesday after a predawn fire tore through their home in this Quebec paper-mill community southeast of Ottawa.

The names of the girls, ages 3 and 8, have not been released. Their father was also in critical condition, along with a 12-year-old girl, police said.

In all, six people managed to escape the blaze, which was reported at about 4:40 a.m., Quebec provincial police Sgt. Marc Tessier said.

“As for the mother, another 6-yearold boy and a small baby, they are still at the hospital, but their lives are not in danger.”

A visiting friend, a 12-year-old girl, also escaped the fire and was treated and released from hospital.

The two victims were found on the second floor.

The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined.