Winnipeg man charged with murder after fatal house fire

A 22-year-old man, Ismail Abdihakim Ali, has been charged with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder following a house fire in Winnipeg. The incident occurred on August 27 in the 300 block of St. John’s Avenue.

Emergency crews responded to the two-storey residence late in the evening. Three occupants were hospitalized with what police described as ‘life-altering burns’. One victim, 35-year-old Mark Bosadas Marmeto, died from his injuries on August 29. A 53-year-old man remained in unstable condition, while a 31-year-old woman was treated and released.

Ali was arrested at the scene on the night of the fire. He was initially facing charges including aggravated assault, arson causing bodily harm, arson causing damage to property, possession of incendiary material, and break and enter. Following the death of Marmeto, the charges were upgraded to include first-degree murder.