PEAWANUCK – Nishnawbe Aski Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal fire that occurred in a home in Peawanuck First Nation on Thursday.
NAPS officers originally received the call for service in the late evening hours of Feb. 1 regarding a major house fire in the community
Police said that members of the North East Crime Unit are currently investigating with assistance from the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshall, Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario, Ontario Forensic Pathology Service, and OPP.
Two adults were confirmed deceased as a result of the fire, and three other people remain in the hospital for further treatment of the injuries they sustained.
In a release on Sunday Nishnawbe Aski Nation said that Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler and the Executive Council are mourning the tragic loss alongside the community.
“Our thoughts have been with the entire Peawanuck community since we heard about this tragedy. We had prayed for confirmation that everyone had escaped safely and are saddened to learn that two people are believed to have lost their lives,” the release read.
“We do not have full details, but from what we understand there were five people in the residence at the time. Three managed to escape and are being treated for their injuries.”
NAN announced that mental health and other support workers have been mobilized to provide care for the survivors and support for the family and community.
The release also stated that this tragedy highlights the ever-present danger of fire especially in remote First Nations which see a chronic lack of fire-firefighting, fire prevention, and emergency services.
“We are very concerned to hear that federal funding was approved in 2022 for a new fire truck, but it is still not operational in the community. We have lost far too many members to house fires and other tragedies that may have been preventable had the proper resources been available. Our leaders are frustrated that these tragedies continue to happen despite our best efforts to secure the resources they so desperately need,” the release read.
“We will honour the memory of those we have lost with a renewed and sustained effort to improve safety in our communities.”