Fundraiser launched for family in Pond Inlet tent fire

Relatives are raising money for a family of six that were asleep when their tent caught fire near Pond Inlet, Nunavut, on Sunday.

All six family members were sent out of the territory for treatment. A nine-year-old girl died of her injuries. The others are being treated for burns at two hospitals in Winnipeg and Ottawa.

The fire was caused by a camping stove.

Ocean Umphrey, a cousin of the mother in the fire, has started a Facebook group to accept donations to that relatives can fly south to be with the victims.

"There's no amount that you can put on a tragedy," Umphrey said. "I'm happy for anything and I'm going to keep on doing this until donations keep are still coming in."

Umphrey now lives in northern B.C., but says she spent many hours playing with the mother as a child and still remains in touch.

"There's a tremendous amount of comfort for myself, just knowing that there are people out there who want to help as much as I do."

So far, Umphrey has raised about $300, and other family members in Pond Inlet have raised $600.

The Facebook group is called "Tragedy in the Arctic: Family caught in tent fire in Pond Inlet."

You can also make donations through email: climaxind@gmail.com.