Sret du Qubec to investigate house fire death in Chisasibi

One person was found dead after a house fire this morning in Chisasibi, the biggest Cree community on the James Bay coast of Quebec.

About 10 firefighters arrived at the burning house shortly after 8 a.m. Due to the cold, they were initially unable to use the fire hydrants and had to instead use trucked water to douse the flames.

One person was found dead in the building. Others were taken to the Chisasibi hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Because the death is considered suspicious, provincial police will investigate. Insp. Lyle Cox of the Eeyou Eenou Police Force said members of the Sret du Qubec are scheduled to arrive in Chisasibi from Montreal Wednesday evening.

• Listen to the interview withInsp. Lyle Cox (Cree language)

The Eeyou Eenou Police Force is meeting with witnesses. The house belonged to the Kativik Regional Government, Cox said, and not the Chisasibi First Nation.

As of Wednesday evening, police and fire officials were not releasing any information about the individual who died, as not all family members had yet been informed.