Fire destroys nursing station in Cat Lake First Nation

Tim Brody - Editor

Cat Lake First Nation Chief Russell Wesley has declared a State of Emergency after the nursing station in the community was destroyed in a fire on March 2.
Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) shared in a March 3 media release that officers from the Cat Lake First Nation detachment received a call for service regarding a structural fire just before 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, 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. 
“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,” NAPS informed.
An investigation remains ongoing with assistance from members of the NAPS Crime Unit and Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal. 
Chief Wesley shared in his Declaration of Emergency, “Currently, Cat Lake First Nation has no nursing station facility to provide health care to the Cat Lake Community members. Nursing station accommodations were also completely destroyed by the fire. Cat Lake First Nation will require alternative measures in place to ensure health care services can be accessed and provided to the Cat Lake First Nation community members.”
He added, “Further, due to the fire, water continues to flow to the nursing station causing the reservoir to run dry. The community is currently trying to locate the shut off valve to isolate (the) building. Currently the community has no access to water due to the water plant not being monitored during the fire at the nursing station.”