A woman was rescued from a burning apartment suite in Portage la Prairie Friday and a man has been arrested for attempted murder and arson.
RCMP went to the building on 5th Street at about 1:25 a.m. Friday after being called about a fire and “possible domestic situation.”
When the first officer arrived, he found thick black smoke pouring from the basement apartment and heard screaming inside. The officer ran inside and found the apartment door open and the suite full of smoke.
The officer managed to help a 41-year-old woman leave the apartment. When he came back, he found a man, 38, who refused to leave. The officer had to drag him from the burning apartment.
First responders helped others in the complex escape.
RCMP said they believe the man and woman were in the apartment when the man started a fire. The woman tried to leave, but the man would not let her and she suffered injuries as a result, they said. She was taken to hospital where she remains.
The man was arrested and faces charges of attempted murder, arson – disregard for human life and forcible confinement.
Portage la Prairie RCMP continue to investigate.
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