RCMP said an autopsy has shown smoke inhalation as the cause of death for a woman found inside a home burned by a fire in Selkirk on Monday.
Relatives identified the woman who died as 51-year-old Gloria Sanderson.
RCMP and fire crews responded to the fire around 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 10 on Taylor Avenue in Selkirk.
After a joint investigation with the Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner, the cause of the fire has been deemed to be accidental, with damage pegged at $175,000, said RCMP.
Fire inspectors believe the victim was cooking food, left the room, forgot about items on the stove and fell asleep, before the fire started and she couldn't get out in time.
No smoke detectors were in place, said police.
Fire inspectors said if smoke detectors had been in place in the home, they may have provided enough warning to escape the blaze.
Family members confirmed Wednesday that a 40-year old man whose truck went through the ice Tuesday into the Red River near the Lockport Dam is Sanderson’s nephew. He escaped from the vehicle and was taken to hospital for treatment.
RCMP said there is nothing in either investigation that seems to link the two events.
