Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Fatal bathhouse fire now a homicide investigation
BORIS.MINKEVICH@FREEPRESS.MB.CA Enlarge Image
Police say arson was the cause of the Oct. 11 fire at Aquarius Men’s Bath.
THE Winnipeg police homicide unit is now leading the investigation into a purposely set fire that killed two men in a Notre Dame Avenue bathhouse earlier this month.
Police confirmed arson is to blame for the Oct. 11 blaze at Aquarius Men's Bath in the 400 block of Notre Dame Avenue that claimed the lives of Steven Yablonski, 23, of Winnipeg and Robert Clark, 62, of Saskatchewan.
The fire was set sometime before 7 a.m., when emergency crews were dispatched to the business.
The bathhouse's owner, Somchai Pengpharsuks, told the Free Press last week he believed the blaze was set by two men on the building's second floor.
He said the incident was potentially hate-motivated, according to information he received, because the bathhouse is frequented predominantly by gay men.
Both men died of smoke inhalation in a fire that police believe was "deliberately set," said a police spokesman.
"(It's) a very horrific event," said Const. Jason Michalyshen.
Kaj Hasselriis, an outspoken member of Winnipeg's gay community, said he was "totally surprised" by the police finding, and added the crime "makes me uneasy."
"If someone would do that, what else might they do?" asked Hasselriis, the Manitoba reporter for www.xtra.ca, a national gay and lesbian news website. "I'm worried it could be a hate crime, and worried for the community as a whole."
Homicide investigators have consulted with the Winnipeg Police Service hate crimes co-ordinator, Michalyshen said.
"There has certainly been contact, members and supervisors within that unit have certainly had some dialogue," he said.
"Right now, at this point, there's no evidence to support that this is a hate-motivated crime."
Police have not released Clark's city of residence in Saskatchewan at the request of the man's family.
The family of Yablonski marked his death with a funeral in Gimli Monday.
The Aquarius bathhouse was a facility both men and women frequented.
The city does not license bathhouses.
However, city employees monitored the facility to make sure it met the fire code.
It was last checked in 2001, and fire officials said they will be reviewing if the building was up to code at the time of the fire.
Police asked anyone with information about the crime who has not already been contacted by officers to call 986-6508 or 786-8477 (TIPS).
gabrielle.giroday@freepress.mb.ca
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 21, 2009 A3
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PREVIOUS
7 Comments
Posted by: mother of two
October 21, 2009 at 10:33 PM
I hope the two suspects get the harshest punishment available. They are dispicable excuses for human beings, who obviously have no regard for human life. If it was accidental, why not come forward, instead of hiding like cowards? They had to have set the fire using something that would burn up fast, otherwise someone would have smelt smoke long before the fire became out of had. I hope they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, because I wouldn't want them living next to me!!
Posted by: SingleMOM
October 21, 2009 at 9:00 PM
What frightens me, is that appears as though the fire was set from within the building, on a co~ed night... I'd LIKE to believe it was careless disposal of a ciggie/joint, knocked over candle and NOT perhaps a jealous partner whom in the moment recklessly and intentionally set the blaze...
My worst fear is that it was a "newbie" who was there w/their partner of choice, and had a meltdown after the fact... Wouldn't be the 1st time in history a menage aus trois went awry
My heart goes out to all involved...
Stay safe to one and all.... always...
Posted by: Gord R
October 21, 2009 at 5:56 PM
I've never been there though I was at the 'other one' years ago and I can't imagine circumstances on a Saturday night being such that anyone could remotely come to the conclusion the entire place was empty. Folks can't connect with each other - the whole idea - by holing up alone in separate rooms and falling asleep. Yablonski was part of a group of folks who went there after the bar closed TO CONTINUE SOCIALIZING. Granted, Yablonski and Clark were asleep but its inconceivable the entire place was absolutely silent. Also, what about shared-use facilities like hot tub and steam? All idle? To suggest arsonist ignorance of occupancy is utterly preposterous. The arsonists' actions were intended to inflict grievous bodily harm or worse, not to mention property destruction.
Posted by: L
October 21, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Snow Walker: I get where you're coming from, but I have to disagree. An arsonist should know that their actions could lead to deaths. It's a stupid excuse. Hold them accountable for their actions.
Posted by: snow_walker
October 21, 2009 at 3:17 PM
I wonder if the perpetrator knew those men were in there or not? If they didn't know anyone was inside, thought the building was empty, then it was intended as arson.. bad enough of course, but not nearly the same thing as setting fire to the place with the intention or thought of killing someone.
Posted by: Bronwyn
October 21, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Good thing we gave the perpetrator a head start on getting away. I know there needed to be an investigation to rule out organic reasons for the fire but i think we all new at least i figured this was a hate crime. the perp will get plead down though since he didnt know for sure anyone was in there. as far as im concerned one murder one attempt of murder.
Posted by: purplemaoist
October 21, 2009 at 9:39 AM
I have heard Calgary has a problem with hate crimes. This is the first major incident in a while here. hopefully it is an isolated incident and not the start of a new group popping up.