Drag queen ID'd as 1 of 2 bathhouse fire victims
Last Updated: Monday, October 12, 2009 | 8:44 PM CT
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A candlelight vigil is planned to mourn the death of Steven Yablonski, who died in a bathhouse fire in Winnipeg on Sunday. (Facebook)Police and fire investigators on Monday were to continue examining the scene of a fatal weekend blaze at a Winnipeg bathhouse.
Two men died in the fire, which is believed to have started early Sunday on the second floor of Aquarius Bath House on Notre Dame Avenue.
Winnipeg police have not released the names of the two deceased men, but a memorial website has been set up on Facebook for Steven Yablonski. The popular drag queen, also known as Kerri O'Kee, was in his 20s.
The owner of the bathhouse told CBC News he has co-operated fully with the police.
Chai Peng said he feels terrible about what happened but doesn't know what might have caused the fire.
One of the two victims died inside the building and the other was taken to hospital in critical condition but later died, police said earlier.
Police were officially calling the fire "suspicious" but have not ruled out an accident. Arson investigators, along with provincial fire officials, were at the scene all weekend.
The bathhouse was co-ed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays and for men only the rest of the week, according to its website. The club opened in 2001 and claims to be the first co-ed bathhouse of its kind in Canada.
The 12,000-square-foot, three-storey facility — two floors and a basement lounge area — was open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and offered clients a choice of 45 rooms "to explore."
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