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Two people killed in house fire in remote First Nation, MP says

Residents of Peawanuck First Nation are mourning the loss of two people following a house fire on Feb. 1/24. (File photo) Residents of Peawanuck First Nation are mourning the loss of two people following a house fire on Feb. 1/24. (File photo)
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Residents of Peawanuck First Nation are mourning the loss of two people following a house fire late Thursday evening.

“I am deeply sorry to hear of the loss of two people in a house fire in Peawanuck, Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus said on social media.

“We need a major overhaul with guarantees of fire trucks, proper halls, fire training, fire inspections.”

The tragedy comes almost a year after a young girl died in a fire in Peawanuck, which prompted calls to ensure fire services were available.

The federal government provided money to buy a fire truck, but not to build a fire hall.

“This past week I called out the minister on the failure to commit to a fire hall after the community lost a 10-year-old child to a house fire last winter,” Angus said.

Many other residents of Peawanuck spoke about the deaths on Facebook on Friday.

While not confirming the deaths, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service confirmed in a news release it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the house fire.

“A scene has been established and members of the NAPS Northeast Crime Unit are leading the investigation,” police said in the release.

“Members of the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal are also involved in the ongoing investigation. Information regarding possible injuries cannot be confirmed, and additional details are not available at this time.”

For his part, Angus said it’s time for action.

“It is time to make fire safety for First Nation communities a priority,” he said.

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