RCMP say that the fire in Cross Lake that claimed the life of a 93-year-old woman was arson.

Just after 3:30 am on August 9, 2019, RCMP officers in Cross Lake noticed smoke coming from a community home. Due to heavy smoke the officers couldn’t get in through the front door. They broke out windows to vent the smoke and immediately noticed the victim on the floor inside. Officers pulled her from the fire and she was taken to hospital. The victim later died from her injuries.

• RCMP investigate fatal house fire in Cross Lake

As investigators continued to look into the cause of the blaze it was determined that it had been deliberately set.

On August 11, 2019 38-year-old Leona Blacksmith from Cross Lake was arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder.

Blacksmith was detained in custody.

© News4.ca 2020