Three-year-old dies after house fire in Prince George

Photo: Citizen photo by Arthur Williams

RCMP and fire investigators were on the scene of a house fire in the 2400-block of Devonshire Crescent on March 1.

A house fire on Feb. 28 has claimed the life of a three-year-old girl in Prince George, B.C. and left her mother and older brother in hospital, according to a GoFundMe Campaign organized for the family.

A statement issued by the Prince George RCMP on Thursday said fire crews were called to the home in the 2400-block of Devonshire Crescent around 3 p.m. on Monday. Fire crews were on the scene when police officers arrived, and three people were transported to hospital with serious injuries.

“A fire investigator from the Prince George RCMP conducted a parallel investigation with Fire Prevention Officers and an Inspector from the B.C. Safety Authority. The evidence gathered so far suggests the fire was not criminal in nature and the scene has been turned back over to Prince George Fire Services,” Prince George RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jennifer Cooper said in the statement.

Cooper said she could not confirm the condition of the three patients after they were transported to hospital.

In a GoFundMe campaign created on Feb. 28, Destiny McKinney said her mother was home with her four younger siblings when the fire broke out.

“My parents house recently caught fire early this afternoon. Leaving the upstairs unit pooling with black smoke. My Dad was at work and my mom was home with my Four siblings, Trinity, (16), Déjà-Ray (6), Darion (4), and Araya-Vada (3),” McKinney wrote. “Trinity and Déjà made it out safety. My Mom and Darion & Araya on the other hand, did not. My Mom is currently intubated admitted in the ICU, And my brother and sister are being Medivacted to Vancouver’s Children Hospital.”

A later update said that three-year-old Araya-Vada Martin had died from her injuries.

“My dad has to take time off work and will be flying down to Vancouver with my siblings, and my other siblings will be residing with me for the time being. We’re hoping to raise some money to help with bills, hotels, food, transport, clothes, and hopefully be able to have a little help getting them a new home to bring them home too,” McKinney wrote. “If anyone has any household items, clothes sizes small/medium in women’s clothes and size 6 in girl clothes, or anything to help get back on their feet would be truly appreciated.”