Police are investigating after a fire destroyed a First Nation band office in northern Ontario.
Nishnawbe Aski Police says its crime unit is now investigating Thursday’s early morning fire at the North Spirit Lake band office and a nearby abandoned home.
Police say they got a call shortly before 3:40 a.m. about a fire in the remote community, which is located about 500 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay.
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Officers found the community’s band office in flames, and then also learned about the fire at the abandoned home.
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Police say no injuries have been reported but both buildings are “a total loss.”
Ontario NDP legislator Sol Mamakwa, who represents the region, issued a social media post calling the fire a “huge loss” for the community.
He says most programs in the community were administered through the band office building.
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