Apartment fire kills 3 in Labrador

Three people died and three others were injured Sunday in an apartment fire in central Labrador.

Police said there were nine people, including five children ranging in ages from five to 13, occupying the apartment in Happy Valley-Goose Bay when the fire broke out before 6 a.m. on Sunday.

Two adults and a teenager died in the fire.

One child was treated for burns and two others were flown to the Janeway Children's Health and Rehabilitation Centre in St. John's, police said.

Three others, including a child, escaped unharmed.

In a news release, RCMP said alcohol may have been a factor, but Cpl. Keith MacKinnon said police are still investigating.

"The fire is being investigated right now, but we have no reason to suspect foul play at this time," he said.

Mayor Leo Abbass, who knew one of the victims, said the fire was a blow to the close-knit community of 8,000.

"It's devastating to the friends and family of those involved," Abbass said.