Ontario’s Fire Marshal Office (OFM) is currently investigating a tragic incident where a house fire claimed the lives of three individuals in Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek, known as Grassy Narrows First Nation. The response to the fire was initiated by officers from the Treaty Three Police Service (T3PS) on Sunday evening, as confirmed in a communication to CBC News by spokesperson Donna Anderson. The community of Grassy Narrows, an Ojibway settlement situated approximately 85 kilometers north of Kenora, is home to nearly 1,000 residents. CBC News is inquiring about the cause of the fire and the extent of the damages incurred.
Jim Demetriou of the OFM stated in an email on Tuesday that the Fire Marshal’s Office is actively investigating the incident and is aware of the situation. No further details are available at this time as the investigation remains ongoing. The Paapiiwaaniimaan Grassy Narrows Mercury Care Home has postponed a College Orientation Ceremony planned for Tuesday due to the fire, and the community’s band office has been shut down as well. CBC News has contacted the First Nation’s chief for a response and will update the story accordingly.
According to a report from the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council, Indigenous communities are five times more likely to experience fatalities in house fires compared to non-Indigenous populations. Mental health counseling and crisis support services are accessible 24/7 through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or via online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca.