A remote First Nations network in the northwest lost its central access point to physical care after its only nursing station was destroyed in a fire Saturday night.
“Police are investigating cases involving a chimney at the Cat Lake First Nation Nurses’ Station,” the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) said on Sunday.
NAPS officials won a call for service related to a structural chimney at the Margaret Gray Nurse Station just before 9:30 p. m. m. of March 2.
“When officials arrived, they visually observed smoke and flames coming from the network’s nurse’s station. Officers remained at the scene and assisted network members attempting to put out the fire,” police said.
“At 11:46 p. m. , it was deemed too dangerous to continue efforts to extinguish the fire. Construction appears to be a general loss, but no injuries have been reported as a result of the fire. “
Cat Lake First Nation, a remote network in the Northwest, lost its central fitness access point after its only nurse’s station was destroyed in a fire on March 2, 2024. (Facebook/Kevin Sakakeesic)
Cat Lake is an Ojibway First Nations network located approximately 440 kilometers northwest of Thunder Bay along the Albany River. The fire leaves about 650 citizens of the network without access to their number one gym.
“I’m not sure what the immediate plans are. . . for the physical care of network members,” Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa said on social media on Sunday.
“(Cat Lake First Nation) lost its nursing position last night due to a fire. “
NAPS said the investigation of the fire is continuing with the assistance of the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office.
This is the third primary chimney in First Nations communities in northwestern Ontario this year: On Jan. 25, a chimney destroyed the Eabametoong First Nation’s only school, displacing about 300 students from kindergarten through ninth grade, and then, on Feb. 1, a residential chimney in a remote area. Peawanuck’s network killed two other people and sent three others to the hospital.
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