Manitoba families are grieving the loss of relatives killed in a duplex fire over the weekend in Winnipeg’s core.

Three people died in the fire, which broke out in the 300 block of Alexander Avenue around 2:30 a.m. on Feb. 28. 

One man remains in hospital in critical condition; two firefighters were also injured in the blaze. 

One of the victims, 21-year-old Stephanie Meekis, leaves behind two young sons, three sisters and her mother. 

"Now I have to let her go, but I'm still waiting for her to come home. I want her to come home," said Meekis’ mother, Barbara Bone.

“She was very kind, outgoing always fun to be around...most of all, she was a really good mommy to her little boys," said Joann Lee, Meekis' childhood friend, who is trying to come to terms with the shock.

The fire also claimed the lives of Meekis’ friend, a 20-year-old woman, and 49-year-old Melvin Jacob.

Jacob, a father of four, was taken to hospital in critical condition Sunday and later died from his injuries.

His family said they’re struggling; grieving a man who worked hard and had a good sense of humour.

“You never expect to lose your uncle at such a young age. I've been crying for two days straight right now, and you got to be strong for everyone else in the family too,” said nephew Dennis Jacob.

“He was in our life, our whole life, always helping when we needed help,” said niece Cindy Jacob.

His family has set up a GoFundMe page hoping for donations of clothing, furniture and money to help support those left behind after the fire.

Office of the Fire Commissioner takes over investigation

According to the Office of the Fire Commissioner, the duplex fire was contained to one of the suites.

It found one unit in the duplex housed four adults and three children, while six adults and two children lived in the other unit.

Community housing expert Christina Maes Nino said the tragedy is a reminder Winnipeg needs more affordable housing.

“So low-income people are living in housing situations that may not be safe, they are living possibly in overcrowded conditions, which it certainly seems to be the case in the house on Alexander,” said Maes Nino.

She said 13 per cent of renters, roughly 11,000 people, live in unsuitable housing, which she describes as an unsuitable number of bedrooms for the amount of people.

On Monday, the Office of the Fire Commissioner said the cause remains under investigation.

It found both units had working smoke alarms.