(The grocery store and band office in Shamattawa First Nation was gutted by fire Thursday. Photo courtesy Roy Miles)
Dennis Ward
APTN National News
The Chief of a northern Manitoba First Nation has declared a state of emergency after a fire destroyed the only grocery store, the band office, 911 call centre and radio station.
The fire has also resulted in the loss of Internet service in the remote northern community, something Chief Jeffrey Napaokesik says the community relies on heavily.
Reports of the fire first came in Thursday afternoon when many in the community were attending a funeral.
When reached by phone Thursday night, the chief said the fire continues to burn.
He said the immediate concern is getting an emergency supply store set up as soon as possible on Friday.
Napaokesik said most members of the community are on social assistance and live day to day. There will be an immediate need for things like water and baby formula.
There will be an immediate need for things like water and baby formula.
Shamattawa First Nation is a fly-in community with about 1,000 members 750 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.
Officials from the Northwest Company are due in Shamattawa in the morning with supplies for an emergency store that will be established.
The chief said things are calm right now but expects people to wake up in a panic in the morning.
Officials will be going door to door in the morning to explain how things will be handled.
The chief said at the moment nobody appears to be missing or have been caught in the fire.
He says it’s too early to know how the fire started.
thanks so much for the much needed inconvenience and out-right disrespect for the rest of your community kids. maybe a little more than a slap on the wrist is in order, regardless of the ages.