LA BROQUERIE, Man. -- A Manitoba father who suffered serious burns while rescuing
his teenage son from the basement of the family's burning home has
died.

The family of six were asleep when the blaze broke out early Saturday morning on a residential street in La Broquerie, Man., 40 kilometres
southeast of Winnipeg.

Police say the mother got three younger children out of the house, and the father went to the basement to get their 13-year-old
son.

Both the father and son made it out of the house, but neighbours say they were severely burned.

Helena Dunai, who lives three doors away, said the mother came running along the street for help.

"She said, 'My husband is burning! My son is burning!" said Dunai, who was reached by phone Sunday
afternoon.

"I think she was in shock."

The father and son were rushed to hospital in critical condition, but the 36-year-old father died on
Sunday morning.

Police say they believe an electrical problem sparked the blaze, and that the fire is not considered suspicious.

Thomas Kriwolapow, who lives across the street, said the family were immigrants from Germany and
had only been in Canada for about five years. The dad, he said, worked for a
trucking company in nearby Steinbach, Man. and had only just returned home
Friday night.

Kriwolapow, who is also from Germany, said there are five German families on the street, although he said they aren't
related.

"They were a friendly family," Kriwolapow said, noting that he'd often seen the mother out walking with the children.

The three youngest children _ two girls, aged nine and five, and a one-year-old boy _ have been
staying at Dunai's home. She said the family has relatives in Manitoba. Other
relatives were on their way from Germany to help the family cope with the
tragedy.

Dunai said the children were doing well, although at the time she was reached, she said they hadn't been told of their father's death. The
mother hadn't arrived back at the house, Dunai explained, and they would likely
get the news from her.

"I don't think it's sunk in for them yet," Dunai said about the children's reaction to the fire.