Mother of seven dies in house fire on Sask. First Nation
A family is mourning a mother of seven children who died in a house fire last week on Saulteaux First Nation.
Claudia Thomas, 38, left behind seven children between the ages of two and 15. They are in the care of their grandma, Pauline.
Amanda Sanderson, a resident of Saulteaux First Nation, said the fire happened on Nov. 17 -- all the children were home at the time.
“The oldest, the 15-year-old, was trying to save all his siblings and then Claudia passed,” Sanderson told CTV News.
She said the First Nation’s fire crew were the first on the scene. It takes roughly 30 minutes for emergency services to get to the reserve.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) told CTV News in an email it’s assisting in the investigation to determine the origin and cause of the fire. The agency said its report will be submitted to the Saskatchewan Coroner’s Service once completed.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, Sanderson said.
In an effort to help the children, Sanderson has been collecting cash donations because the mother’s death is so close to Christmas.
“I couldn’t even imagine having seven babies without a mom. She was the main provider of the beautiful babies,” she said.
“I know it’s not going to bring their mom back but it’s something that can uplift their spirits even just for one day.”
Sanderson has collected $1,600 through e-transfers and says she’s going to buy Christmas presents for the children. The extra money will go towards the children's savings account. Those looking to donate can email amandashbapparel@gmail.com.
Sanderson says it feels amazing to see the generosity of the community.
“Claudia was such a happy person, a bubbly person, outgoing, just a beautiful soul and always made people laugh.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.