Pelican Narrows local administrative centre on Monday morning. Photo submitted.
The village office is smoldering in Pelican Narrows today after being rendered “not useable any longer” by a fire, says the RCMP.
The office, also known as the local administrative centre, doubles as a court circuit point, probations office, community hall, and radio station.
The fire started this morning and while the structure itself is still standing, the damage is serious.
“The entire structure, roof, is destroyed and the remainder of the building although it is fire damaged, it is now severely water damaged and smoke damaged,” said RCMP Staff Sargeant Brian Udey.
He said as of 10 a.m. the flames were down but the fire department remained on scene to put out any hot spots and make sure the fire does not spread to any further buildings.
There was supposed to be provincial court in Pelican Narrows this morning, but that is on hold and now the community is scrambling to find alternate locations for today and the remainder of the week.
Udey said it’s important for community members to let first responders and investigators do their job, and to not try to get into the building because “it’s an unsafe location.”
He said the cause is unknown and it would be “pure speculation on our part” to comment at this time.
He said the RCMP fire examiner and the provincial fire examiner are being consulted on how to proceed with the investigation.