Fourth Trailer Fire in a Week Hits Thunder Bay District as Fort William Nation Battles Blaze

Key Takeaways

• A fatal trailer fire occurred in Fort William First Nation, marking the fourth trailer fire in the Thunder Bay district within a week.
• Two people were found dead inside the trailer, and the cause of the blaze is still under investigation by the Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal.
• Indigenous people are over five times more likely to die in a fire than their non-Indigenous counterparts, with the risk increasing to over 10 times for First Nations people living on reserves.
• The Anishinabek Police Service is asking anyone with information about the incident to come forward and is providing crisis services and resources to the community.

Introduction to the Incident
The Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal is currently investigating a fatal blaze that occurred in Fort William First Nation, which is the fourth trailer fire to take place in the Thunder Bay district within a week. The incident happened on Squaw Bay Road, where crews from Thunder Bay Fire Rescue responded to the scene shortly after 3 a.m. on Saturday. The trailer was found to be fully engulfed in flames, but the fire was quickly brought under control by the first arriving crew. Unfortunately, two people were found dead inside the trailer.

Response and Investigation
The Anishinabek Police Service responded to the incident, and members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Office of the Fire Marshal were also present at the scene on Sunday. While the cause of the fire has not been determined, Thunder Bay Fire Rescue issued a news release reminding the public of the importance of working smoke detectors and the need for extra caution when using candles. The Anishinabek Police Service is asking anyone with information about the incident to call 1-888-310-1122 and is providing support to the community during this difficult time.

Statistics on Indigenous Fire Safety
It is worth noting that Indigenous people are disproportionately affected by fires, with the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council stating that they are over five times more likely to die in a fire than their non-Indigenous counterparts. This risk increases to over 10 times for First Nations people living on reserves. This highlights the need for increased awareness and education on fire safety in Indigenous communities, as well as the importance of ensuring that all homes have working smoke detectors and are equipped with the necessary safety measures.

Recent Trailer Fires in the District
In addition to the fatal trailer fire in Fort William First Nation, there have been several other trailer fires reported in the district over the past week. On November 29, a trailer fire occurred in Lake Helen First Nation, where the lone occupant escaped with minor injuries. A 21-year-old man from the First Nation has been charged with arson in connection with the case. On December 1, Thunder Bay Fire Rescue responded to an evening trailer fire in Fort William First Nation on Anemki Drive, where the fire was quickly brought under control. The fire department emphasized the importance of fire safety when utilizing supplemental heating sources like portable space heaters. On December 3, Thunder Bay Fire Rescue responded to a trailer fire on Kingston Street in Thunder Bay, where no injuries were reported and the cause of the blaze was determined to be a woodburning appliance inside the trailer.

Conclusion and Call to Action
The recent trailer fires in the Thunder Bay district highlight the need for increased awareness and education on fire safety, particularly in Indigenous communities. The Anishinabek Police Service is asking anyone with information about the fatal trailer fire to come forward and is providing crisis services and resources to the community. It is essential that everyone takes the necessary precautions to prevent fires, including ensuring that all homes have working smoke detectors and are equipped with the necessary safety measures. By working together, we can reduce the risk of fires and prevent tragic incidents like the one that occurred in Fort William First Nation.