Winnipeg police release homicide victims' names in fatal rooming house fire

Winnipeg police have released the victims' names in the fatal rooming house fire in north Point Douglas last Thursday.

The fire is being investigated as a homicide.

Brenda Campbell, 51, and John McKinnon Bendon, 61, died as a result of the fire, which investigators believe was deliberately set.

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The fire broke out in a three-storey home in the 100 block of Austin Street North around 1:40 a.m.

By the time fire crews arrived, the blaze had spread to every floor of the building. Thirteen of the 15 people who were inside the rooming house escaped.

Police said the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information related to the fire is asked to call investigators at (204) 986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at (204) 786-TIPS (8477).

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