Cause of downtown fire remains undetermined

Charlottetown fire inspectors say they may never know the cause of a fire earlier this month in downtown Charlottetown.

The fire broke out in the early morning hours of March 9 in a row of old buildings on Kent Street. It destroyed five businesses— Tombstone Tattoos, City Cab, Tribal Art and Decor, a hair shop, and a nail salon— and left eight people homeless.

"We have determined the room of origin, that being the bedroom in Tombstone Tattoo shop, however the ignition source has not been determined," said fire inspector Randy MacDonald.

"The file will be classified as undetermined and will remain open pending further forthcoming information."

Inspectors are about to conclude active investigation. MacDonald said evidence that could have revealed the source of the fire was destroyed.

Funeral for dog that saved family

No one was injured in the fire, but one family credits their dog with waking them and saving their lives.

But the dog died in the fire and his owner, Nguyen Thanh, wants to do something special for him. A public funeral for Rocky, a four-year-old husky-shepherd mix, will be held at Clyde River Pet Cemetery on Sunday.

"Rocky [is] very, very special to us because he sacrificed his life for our life, for all of our family, so that's why I have to do something very, very special for him," said Nguyen.

This may be the first public funeral ever for a dog on Prince Edward Island.

Nguyen, his wife and another relative escaped from the fire after Rocky woke them up.

The service is scheduled to startat 2 p.m. Sunday.