Update: We regret to inform that it is being reported by social media and a press release by the Children's Aid Society of Sudbury and Manitoulin that Nicole Belair, 33, has succumbed to her injuries sometime yesterday.
Our thoughts are with her family and her fiancé, Steve Davidson. Steve and Nicole were to be married on June 28.
In a press release the CAS stated:
"Nicole built many strong relationships with her co-workers, who she considered to be part of her family.”
“Her commitment to the youth and families she served is evidenced by the volume of fond memories they are sharing about their experiences with her."
“We are shocked and profoundly saddened by the impact of this tragic accident, Colette Prevost, executive director of the Children’s Aid Society of the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin, said in the release.
"Nicole was a dedicated and experienced worker, and had built incredibly strong bonds with the youth and families she served. She will be missed by countless colleagues who have come to depend on her passion and commitment.
"First and foremost, our energies are being focussed on providing support to those most closely impacted by this incident – Nicole’s family and co-workers, and the youth and families to whom she was so fiercely dedicated. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time of such incredible loss.”
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Nicole Belair, 33, a Social Worker at the apartment complex in Hanmer when the fire occurred, is being hailed as a hero by tenant and their family.
According to witness she had assisted one tenant in getting out of the building and then returned inside where she was found unconscious. She was resuscitated on the scene and taken to Health Science North where she remained in critical condition as of Tuesday Morning.
RELATED: Explosion in Hanmer sends several people to hospital
The official cause in still under investigate by the Fire Marshals office has confirmed that it appears the fire started in the ground floor apartment of tenant Diane Paquette, who uses oxygen. Sources told us the afternoon of the event that a very distressed Paquette, who suffered severe burns, indicated that her fridge blew up.