Deadly Fire Still Hurting Displaced Tenants
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 17:45
The RCMP is asking the displaced tenants of the fire-damaged apartment complex in La Ronge to remain patient as the investigation continues, while local governments seek long-term solutions to the crisis.
The apartment block has been cordoned off as a crime scene. This has prevented tenants from accessing badly-needed belongings, such as medication.
RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Carole Raymond says that even though there are sections of the apartment that were relatively untouched by the fire, investigators can’t risk having any evidence compromised before the police work is finished.
This afternoon, displaced tenants were being given the change to speak with crisis and mental health counsellors at the La Ronge Health Centre.
Dianne Hallberg, a social worker with the health centre’s mental health unit, says it can be very difficult for people to deal with such a tragedy.
She hopes the conversation, led by mental health professionals, helped them talk through what happened and thus lessen their distress.
For her part, the chief of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band says local leaders in La Ronge are working together on a plan to assist the people left homeless by a fatal apartment fire.
Tammy Cook-Searson says the only option that is in place right now is temporarily putting up those families in hotels.
She notes representatives of local agencies and governments met yesterday, and will meet again today to develop a longer-term plan.
Cook-Searson doesn’t know how many band members were affected, but she says a total of 90 tenants were displaced.
Meanwhile, La Ronge’s mayor says he’s prepared to declare a state of emergency if that’s what’s required to get financial help, as the town copes with the aftermath of the fire.
Mayor Joe Hordyski says the Town of La Ronge simply does not have the resources to house and feed the displaced tenants beyond the next few days.
Hordyski says he doesn’t believe a state of emergency is called for, because there is no “present danger” to the town’s residents — but he will do it if he feels there is no other way to get outside help.
While the town has done extensive emergency planning in the ten years since La Ronge was hit by the Mallard forest fire, Hordyski says there is little they can do to plan for accommodating so many evacuees for such a long period of time.