The bodies of Bessie and Eli Ballantyne will be returned to Sandy Lake this afternoon. They died in a house fire early Saturday morning. An autopsy determined the cause of death to be carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation.

58-year old Bessie perished in the house fire after she safely removed her mother from the burning home then returned inside to get her 8-year old grandson Eli whom she had been raising.

Preliminary results of an investigation conducted by the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshall indicate the fire probably started around the chimney.

Funeral arrangements are scheduled for Thursday, May 22, 2008 at the Adam Fiddler United Church in Sandy Lake.

Sandy Lake First Nation would like to thank those communities and individuals who have offered their support and assistance during this tragedy. Your thoughts, prayers, and condolences are very much appreciated.