Hundreds gather to mourn four boys killed in rural Manitoba house fire

WINKLER, Man. — Hundreds of mourners have gathered inside a Mennonite church in the community of Winkler to pay respects to four boys killed in a southern Manitoba house fire.

Photos of the boys’ smiling faces are on the memorial service’s program, which describes their interests and activities.

One of the songs to be sung during the service is the children’s Bible song “Jesus Loves Me.”

Bobby, Timmy, Danny and Henry Froese (FRAYS), who were between nine and 15 years old, were killed when their rural home burned to the ground.

Their mother was able to escape with three of their siblings, but the boys were in the second storey of the farmhouse and could not get out.

The father and the couple’s eldest son were just returning from work and tried unsuccessfully to rescue the boys.

The service is being followed by a private burial.

People have reached out by raising tens of thousands of dollars to help the surviving family members, as well as to provide furniture and clothing.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.