Sandy Lake First Nation has confirmed three children died in a house fire Thursday evening around 11:00.
Local fire personnel and volunteers, Chief and Council, Nishnawbi Aski Police and Sandy Lake community members acted quickly to help, but were unable to enter the home that was fully engulfed in flames.
Community officials say a lack of adequate water lines and infrastructure prevented the use of fire hydrants
They add other equipment and resources weren’t available at the time.
Chief Delores Kakegamic is calling for adequate resources for fire and emergency services stating, “Our volunteers did all they could with what they had. We should have the same level of support as anyone else in Canada. Lives are at stake”
The Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office, Coroner’s Office and members of the NAPS are investigating,
Sandy Lake community officials confirm 6 year old Remi Meekis and 4 year old Wilfred Meekis died in the blaze.
They add on his birthday turning the age of 9, Grant Meekis also perished in the blaze.
Parents are Delaney and Cassandra Meekis, and surviving siblings are all boys aged 12, 10 and about 10 months old and the family has lost everything.
Donations to support the family for clothing and immediate supports can be made by emailing slbroadband@sandylakefn.com
