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Murder charge laid after RCMP determine Cross Lake fire was deliberately started

Aug. 9 blaze killed a 93-year-old woman
RCMP

A woman from Cross Lake was charged with second-degree murder Aug. 11 for the death of a 93-year-old woman in a house fire Aug. 9

RCMP say investigators have determined that the fire was deliberately started.

Leona Blacksmith, 38, was charged with second-degree murder and appeared in provincial court in Thompson Aug. 12.

Cross Lake RCMP officers noticed the home burning around 3:30 a.m. Aug. 9 but could not get in through the front door. They then broke several windows to help clear the smoke and saw a woman lying on the floor inside. She was taken to hospital where she died from her injuries.

The Office of the Fire Commissioner assisted RCMP in investigating the fire.

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