Winnipeg police say the fire that destroyed a Sherbrook Street apartment building Saturday morning was intentionally set.
Demolition crews tore down what's left of the apartment building following the fire there and tenants who once lived there are figuring out what's next. "It's just not knowing where to go," said Jodie Mattson.
Mattson is staying with her work manager for now, she is hoping the building's owners will find her a new place to live. She didn't have tenant's insurance and lost a lot in the blaze. "A lot of family stuff passed down from different places," she said. "A lot of stuff that I got from friends that have passed away, that's irreplaceable."
Three people have been arrested and charged with arson and more suspects could be identified during the police investigation. Police say they have reason to believe the building was targeted.
Police have arrested two men, aged 18 and 20 and a 16-year-old boy. All are facing two counts of arson. Officers won't say how the fire started, who the suspects were targetting or what their motive may have been.
"We're working on a number of possibilities with regards to why this occurred," said Const. Jason Michalyshen. "However, we have to keep in mind the investigation is ongoing and further arrests are pending."
Mattson is upset someone would intentionally destroy her home and put people's lives at risk. "You can't describe (it). It's just really painful. To have everybody go through that, just for whatever they got against a person…it's just wrong," she said.
Nineteen people and one firefighter were sent to hospital. All are listed in stable condition.
The damage estimate is pegged at around $1 million.
-With a report from CTV's Jeff Keele
