MEDIA RELEASE

Monday, August 1, 2011

Sandy Lake, ON

Fire Destroys Home of Evacuees

A Sandy Lake family forced to leave their home during the full evacuation of the community last week returned Sunday evening to discover their house completely destroyed by a fire.

The house fire started on the morning of Sunday, July 31, 2011.

Bradley Kakegamic and Savannah Rae were part of the evacuees who had to leave the community along with their 10-year old son and 5-year old daughter after forest fires in the area posed a threat of reaching the community.  The family fled with none of their belongings and arrived home to even less.

A lack of housing in the community has 150-200 families on a waiting list for a new home.  Unfortunately, the community does not have the resources to replace this family`s house at this time.

The cause of the house fire remains under investigation. 

An account has been set up to help the family who lost their home in the fire.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

50 Front St., Sioux Lookout, ON  P8T 1A3

Sandy Lake Flow-Through Account

Transit 00387

Account 32-05614

Sandy Lake First Nation will administer the funds to ensure the family receives furnishings, clothing and children`s toys.

FIRE EVACUATION FUND

A full evacuation of Sandy Lake was ordered due to thick smoke of nearby forest fires and the threat of a fire reaching the community.

Sandy Lake was fully evacuated starting July 18, 2011 and evacuees began returning home on Wednesday, July 27.

Sandy Lake has a band membership of 2741.  It is hoped that a majority of the community residents will have arrived home by Wednesday, August 3.

The community is accepting donations to assist with costs associated with the full evacuation.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

50 Front St., Sioux Lookout, ON  P8T 1A3

Sandy Lake First Nation Remedial Projects

Transit 00387

Account 22-05718

Updates on the evacuation can be found at www.sandylake.firstnation.ca.

For more information regarding the house fire and evacuation, contact Chief Adam Fiddler at (807) 774-3421 or at adamfiddler@knet.ca.