From this morning's BPS media release:  
 
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At 2:07 AM this morning, emergency services personnel responded to a structure fire in the 200 block of 28th Street. Upon their arrival, the house was fully engulfed in flames and it was quickly determined that all of the occupants were out safely. 3 neighboring residences were evacuated as a precaution. After a short period of time, Brandon Fire and Emergency Services declared the home a total loss. The fire is believed to have started in a carport area and then quickly spread to the rest of the building. The cause of the fire is unknown and is currently under investigation by the Office of the Fire Commissioner and Police.
http://notes.brandon.ca/bpsmediarelease?opendocument&ID=11051  
 
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Thankfully it sounds like everyone inside was able to get out safely. By the amount of police vehicles and personnel currently in the area its clear they're seriously looking at this as potentially more than an accidental fire.

Rash of criminal activity in several blocks surrounding that area last night.

So sad. We know the family. So glad everyone is safe.

I am glad no one was hurt....it seems that every fire we have in this city results in a ''total'' loss...this one...the house on first street...the tire building...all total losses..should we be concerned??

hear that everyone is safe  
 
who ever knows them let us know what size of clothes and we can start collecting or something.

west said "I am glad no one was hurt....it seems that every fire we have in this city results in a ''total'' loss...this one...the house on first street...the tire building...all total losses..should we be concerned?? "

Just wondering what you mean by "should we be concerned"? If you are referring to our firefighters I don't think you need to worry. Our City is in very capable hands when it comes to our emergency fire personnel and police. It is very unfortunate that we have lost homes and businesses in fires but I am sure the firefighters do all that they can to salvage what they can. These people really put their lives on the line for us and we should appreciate what they do.

sounds like they are investigating it as an arson as they say it started in a car port, I suppose an electrical fire could have been the cause, but with the rash of vehicle, and dumpster fires happening it would not surprise me that some dumb ass started it.

DylanD said "sounds like they are investigating it as an arson as they say it started in a car port, I suppose an electrical fire could have been the cause, but with the rash of vehicle, and dumpster fires happening it would not surprise me that some dumb ass started it. "

Seems there could be more to it. An article on brandonsun.com ( http://www.brandonsun.com/breaking-news/Dogs-chase-off-garage-burglar-158876255.html?thx=y )took place at 140am just over 4 blocks away.  
 
Hardly believe that to be a coincidence. Also another poster above states "bad night, lots of crime in the area last night".  
 
Same person or group would be a reasonable assumption.

Garden Mum said "    west said "I am glad no one was hurt....it seems that every fire we have in this city results in a ''total'' loss...this one...the house on first street...the tire building...all total losses..should we be concerned?? " Just wondering what you mean by "should we be concerned"? If you are referring to our firefighters I don't think you need to worry. Our City is in very capable hands when it comes to our emergency fire personnel and police. It is very unfortunate that we have lost homes and businesses in fires but I am sure the firefighters do all that they can to salvage what they can. These people really put their lives on the line for us and we should appreciate what they do. "

Do not forget that there was a life lost due to arson on 1st. All of us should be concerned as arson can lead to loss of life!  
 
We all know that our emergency personnel are the absolute best! That is the very least of our worries!

CBC article says the owners saw a jeri can by one of the burned out vehicles and they believe it was arson. What kind of sick, twisted freak of nature does that? Thank god the family got out alive.

if it is indeed arson, then that sickens me. who are these people that are setting fires to peoples homes and possibly killing people? the house on 1st was fatal and totally preventable was it not?(meaning arson, not that the firefighters didnt do their job) we should feel safe in our homes, not worry that some little jackass is gonna start it on fire.  
 
a good reminder to make sure all your smoke alarms are in working condition!!

west said "I am glad no one was hurt....it seems that every fire we have in this city results in a ''total'' loss...this one...the house on first street...the tire building...all total losses..should we be concerned?? "

As a volunteer firefighter in a small rural department I'm not surprised. Fires can spread rapidly and at that time in the morning it might not have been caught very soon. I have almost no experience with house fires but the fire chief has said it can be to late 15min after the fire started.

It makes a big difference when an accelerant is used. It sounds like that might have been the case here.

EmmaW said "CBC article says the owners saw a jeri can by one of the burned out vehicles and they believe it was arson. What kind of sick, twisted freak of nature does that? Thank god the family got out alive."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2012/06/13/mb-brandon-ferguson-house-fire.html

So if this is arson, I feel as though whoever started it should be charged with 4 counts of attempted murder! I'm getting so sick of people in this town disrespecting other people's property and belongings! It's very sad that this has happened! I pray for the family and am glad everyone made it out safety!

Any criminal who is caught for a crime that they committed should have to pay for any and all of the damage they caused. An insurance claim could be made, but the criminal should have to pay back every penny (or should I say nickel now) to the insurance company.

Update from BPS this morning..  
 
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House Fire from Yesterday Now an Arson Investigation  
 
Investigation into the house fire in the 200 block of 28th Street, early yesterday morning, has concluded that it was deliberately set. Other incidents occurred overnight in the same general area, including the 3 reported below, but it hasn’t been determined if any of those are linked to the arson. The criminal investigation into the fire is ongoing and no further information is available for release at this time. If anyone has information regarding the arson or any other incidents in that neighborhood, they are encouraged to contact Police at 729-2345 or Crime Stoppers at 727-8477(TIPS).  
 
 
http://notes.brandon.ca/bpsmediarelease?opendocument&ID=11052  
 
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The three other (yet to be declared as connected) incidents that they detail at the link include:  
- garage break and enter at 2200 blk of Rosser  
- shed break and enter on 100 blk of 21st  
- vehicle break and enter at 2200 blk of Rosser  
- also in yesterday's release was a garage break and enter at 0-100 blk of 24th st  
 
Edited by Adam, 2012-06-14 09:11:15

I used to live here in the early 2000s, just came back. It certainly isn't the same anymore! It almost sounds like there's not any safe areas either!

Well I do believe they need to be charged with Cruelty to Animals as well as the other stuff just sick.

They should play CSI. Get some dna from those items they found...  
 
I hope they catch the buggers that did all of this. They should be put on a chain gang. oh wait, we aren't allowed to do that anymore cause it might make them actually straighten up...  
 

If the police can link the stolen car or if the gas container can be determined that it came from one of the garage break-ins, perhaps some evidence was left behind (in the garage or car). It would be great to ID a suspect sooner than later. All I can say is that there are getting to be alot more "damaged" individuals running around our simple town over the recent years.  
 
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.  
 
Edited by snowman5, 2012-06-14 13:23:10

This is nothing less than attempted murder..

snowman5 said "If the police can link the stolen car or if the gas container can be determined that it came from one of the garage break-ins, perhaps some evidence was left behind (in the garage or car). It would be great to ID a suspect sooner than later. All I can say is that there are getting to be alot more "damaged" individuals running around our simple town over the recent years.     Just my opinion, I could be wrong.     Edited by snowman5, 2012-06-14 13:23:10"

Stolen car??  
 
Exactly how rumors get started.

BobT said "    snowman5 said "If the police can link the stolen car or if the gas container can be determined that it came from one of the garage break-ins, perhaps some evidence was left behind (in the garage or car). It would be great to ID a suspect sooner than later. All I can say is that there are getting to be alot more "damaged" individuals running around our simple town over the recent years.     Just my opinion, I could be wrong.     Edited by snowman5, 2012-06-14 13:23:10" Stolen car??     Exactly how rumors get started. "

The car was not stolen, it was broken into and some items were found at a garage in question. I thought the CTV news said a car went missing in the 2200 block of Rosser.  
 
My mistake. Thank you BobT for catching that.  
 
 
 
Edited by snowman5, 2012-06-14 13:57:59

If they were under 18 or have no past criminal record, they will likely get their hands slapped at most. Sad reality of our "justice" system.

maybe we should be asking Merv Tweed when exactly the Harper gov't is planning to get tough on crime. Isn't that what they have been saying all these years?

lets not start making assumptions and start rumors, when who knows what happened and who is responsible for this crime. Let the police do their job.

if the person(s) gets charged, good luck getting any money from them to repay for the damage they have caused. It would be like trying to get blood from a stone. Not going to happen unfortunately.

The more I think about the latest alleged arson...the more I hope the Brandon Police are paying attention to the supposed crime.If the reports on the news and in the paper are correct,someone took a gerry can full of some sort of gas,poured it around a house,while sleping inside were a man,woman,their 2 children and several family pets...and set it on fire!!Can you imagine how that could have turned out??What kind of criminals do we have in our city??I sincerely hope they catch these hoods ...and they can receive Canadian justice....

someguy said "Any criminal who is caught for a crime that they committed should have to pay for any and all of the damage they caused. An insurance claim could be made, but the criminal should have to pay back every penny (or should I say nickel now) to the insurance company. "

They should be made to pay the claim in full to the insurance company including our deductibles. There is no reason a property owner should be on the hook for paying the deductible or be penalized with an increase in deductible because of the claim. Make criminals pay!