26-year-old Ethan Gage Shaydon Powderhorn of Winnipeg is facing Second Degree Murder and Arson charges in relation to the fatal Qu’Appelle Avenue apartment fire on Christmas Day.

Emergency crews responded to two fires in the building, a minor fire at 12:19 am which was quickly put out by firefighters and a significant fire minutes after 4:00 am.

Three people were taken to hospital in critical condition and two in stable condition. Two of the critical patients died from the injuries they sustained in the fire. Police have identified the victim’s as 63-year-old man Roger Glen Doblej and 70-year-old Suzanne Helen McCooeye.

Police believe the accused had also started a garbage bin fire on Kennedy Street on December 10, 2022.

Powderhorn was detained in custody.