A house fire in the Saulteaux First Nation claims the life of a mother of seven. The incident took place last week and is currently being investigated by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency to determine the origin and cause of the fire.
“The investigation falls to the Saskatchewan Forensic Service with the help of the RCMP,” the agency said in an email. “Our report will be sent to you once it is completed.”
Family member Pauline Thomas confirms that the victim of the fatal house fire was her daughter, Claudia Thomas, who was 38 years old and pregnant when she died.
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“She was such a loving person. He was always forgiving and always trying to help other people, ”said Pauline Thomas. “She was a very outgoing person,” she said, adding that you would hardly ever see her get angry. “He loved his children very much.”
Pauline Thomas will now take care of her seven grandchildren. The youngest is two years old and the oldest is 15 years old. She said this transition is difficult as there will now be 16 people living under her roof while she cares for her other grandchildren.
“Babies still call their mom. It’s difficult for me to show my emotions because I have to be strong for them, ”he said. “They’ve been crying in the middle of the night, so I’ve been waking up with them.”
The house fire occurred last week when Claudia Thomas and her children were inside. Although the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency could not verify how the fire started, Pauline Thomas said it started with a candle lamp that was accidentally kicked over an extension cord. When the older children repeated the incident to Pauline, she learned that the older children tried to rescue their mother.
“[Claudia] He told the older kids to take the kids out, ”Pauline said. “And she couldn’t get out.”
It is a painful memory that has been etched in the minds of children. Community counseling is available to children, family, and first responders to assist them during this time. Members of the Saulteaux First Nation quickly came together to raise funds for the seven children, especially with the holidays just around the corner.
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Amanda Sanderson from Saulteaux First Nation is managing one of the fundraising initiatives.
“I am raising funds for Claudia’s children that she left behind,” Sanderson said. “It’s so close to Christmas and they don’t have a mom right now.”
Sanderson is asking for cash donations via wire transfers for children to receive Christmas gifts. So far, he has raised $ 1,600 and hopes to get more. Sanderson will have a team to help her purchase, wrap, and deliver Christmas gifts for the children. With the money left over, she plans to open a savings account for Claudia’s children to help them along the way.
“I hope that many people will come to donate to children,” he said. “I know Christmas presents won’t bring your mom back. But it is something that we, as a community, can be a blessing for these children ”.
Pauline said she is grateful that her community has provided help during this difficult time.
“I appreciate all the help we have received, it means a lot to me,” he said. “It’s overwhelming because we have so much at home and I don’t know where to put things.”
Pauline is renovating a house and hopes it will be ready before Christmas.
Cash donations can be sent to amand[email protected] or you can contact Sanderson via Facebook.
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