Fire leaves northwestern Ont. First Nation community without health care hub
A remote northwestern First Nation community has lost its central access point to health care services after its only nursing station was destroyed in a fire Saturday night.
"Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fire at the nursing station in Cat Lake First Nation," said the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) in a news release Sunday.
NAPS officers received a call for service regarding a structural fire at the Margaret Gray Nursing Station just before 9:30 p.m. on March 2.
"When officers arrived, they observed smoke and visible flames coming from the community's nursing station. Officers remained at the scene and assisted community members attempting to extinguish the fire," police said.
"At 11:46 p.m., it was deemed too dangerous to continue fire suppression efforts. The building appears to be a total loss, however, no injuries were reported as a result of the fire."
Cat Lake First Nation a remote northwestern community has lost its central access point to healthcare services after its only nursing station was destroyed in a fire on March 2, 2024. (Facebook/Kevin Sakakeesic)
A loss of their only health care hub
Cat Lake is an Ojibway First Nation community located approximately 440 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay along the Albany River – the fire leaves the community's about 650 residents without access to their primary health care hub.
"I’m not sure what the immediate plans are… for access to health care for community members," said Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa on social media on Sunday.
"(Cat Lake First Nation) lost their nursing station last night due to a fire."
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
NAPS said the investigation into the fire is ongoing with assistance from the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal.
3 devastating fires in northwestern First Nations
This is the third major fire in First Nation communities in northwestern Ontario this year – on Jan. 25 a fire destroyed the only school in Eabametoong First Nation displacing about 300 students from kindergarten to Grade 9 then on Feb. 1 a residential fire in the remote community of Peawanuck killed two people and sent three others to the hospital.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump threatens to try to take back the Panama Canal. Panama's president balks at the suggestion
Donald Trump suggested Sunday that his new administration could try to regain control of the Panama Canal that the United States “foolishly” ceded to its Central American ally, contending that shippers are charged “ridiculous” fees to pass through the vital transportation channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Man handed 5th distracted driving charge for using cell phone on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
An Ottawa driver was charged for using a cell phone behind the wheel on Sunday, the fifth time he has faced distracted driving charges.
Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration
Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms.
Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no
A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General.
opinion Christmas movies for people who don't like Christmas movies
The holidays can bring up a whole gamut of emotions, not just love and goodwill. So CTV film critic Richard Crouse offers up a list of Christmas movies for people who might not enjoy traditional Christmas movies.
More than 7,000 Jeep SUVs recalled in Canada over camera display concern
A software issue potentially affecting the rearview camera display in select Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee models has prompted a recall of more than 7,000 vehicles.
'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years
After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy.
10 hospitalized after carbon monoxide poisoning in Ottawa's east end
The Ottawa Police Service says ten people were taken to hospital, with one of them in life-threatening condition, after being exposed to carbon monoxide in the neighbourhood of Vanier on Sunday morning.
New York City police apprehend suspect in the death of a woman found on fire in a subway car
New York City police announced Sunday they have in custody a “person of interest” in the early morning death of a woman who they believe may have fallen asleep on a stationary subway train before being intentionally lit on fire by a man she didn't know.