Famous canoeist and adventurer, Don Starkell, 77, was caught in house fire. He suffered smoke and was badly burned according to reports. He remains in critical but stable condition.

Starkell has lived through being shot at by pirates, piranha- and crocodile-infested waters and now a house fire.

On March 24^th, at around 9am, emergency crews rushed to the adventurer’s home in Winnipeg on Hazel Dell Avenue and took him to the hospital where he remains. It’s estimated that $200,000 of damages was caused by the fire.

According to reports, Starkell was trying to extinguish the fire and collect some of his belongings as the fire raged through his home.

For most canoeists, this is an unfortunate event. The rough-edged adventurer and author of Paddle to the Amazon and Paddle to the Arctic has inspired many of us and our own adventures.

I hope for a speedy recovery. Get well soon Starkell!