Murder charge laid after Winnipeg house fire kills one and leaves two with life-altering burns

A Winnipeg house fire that left two people with permanent, life-altering burns has led to a first-degree murder charge against a 22-year-old man.

Police identified the dead occupant as Mark Bosadas Marmeto, 35. He died in hospital the day after the blaze at a two-storey home on St. Johns Avenue in Winnipeg’s north side.

Fire crews responded at about 10:16 p.m. last Thursday after heavy smoke poured from the house. They brought the flames under control shortly after 11 p.m. All three occupants went to hospital, including one person initially listed in critical condition.

A 53-year-old man remained hospitalized in unstable condition on Monday. A 31-year-old woman has been released, police said. Both survivors suffered what investigators described as life-altering burns.

Police arrested Ismail Abdihakim Ali at the scene on the night of the fire. He initially faced charges including aggravated assault and arson causing bodily harm and property damage. After Marmeto died, prosecutors upgraded the case to first-degree murder and added two counts of attempted murder. Ali remains in police custody.

“

life-altering burns