Update: fire at Sandy Lake school

Nishnawbe-Aski Police is investigating the fire that close Sandy Lake’s Thomas Fiddler Memorial School.
Indications from the Ontario Fire Marshall’s investigation are that the fire was caused by arson.
The school has been closed since Feb. 21 due to extensive fire, smoke and water damage from the fire.
“The fire was contained but it was right near the heating system, the boiler room,” said Sandy Lake Chief Adam Fiddler. “There was smoke damage throughout the whole school, so the school has to be closed. Although the fire was contained in a small area, there was heavy damage to the wiring, the electrical system, so the power had to be shut off to the whole building.”
Fiddler said the wiring has to be repaired and inspected before power can be turned back on.
“There is a lot of work that needs to be done, but at this point the fire marshall is expected in this afternoon (Feb. 22),” Fiddler said. “The building has been sealed; there is an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.”
Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service said an initial investigation indicated the fire originated in the area of the school’s storage/supply room.
There were no reports of injuries during the fire at the elementary school, which accommodates 386 students in 23 classes from Kindergarten to Grade 6.
Once the fire marshall completes his investigation and releases the building, Fiddler said the community is planning to bring in engineers and other experts to assess the electrical and heating systems and the structural integrity of the building.
“Apparently the fire burned right through the walls right to the steel beams,” Fiddler said. “So we want to make sure it is 100 per cent safe before we allow students back in.”
Fiddler commended the community fire fighters for putting their lives on the line to save the school.
“They pretty much saved the school,” Fiddler said. “I commend them for that but the reality is the whole school is shut down at this point.”
Fiddler said the community’s secondary school is currently filled to capacity, so there isn’t enough room there to accommodate the elementary students.
“The (Sandy Lake) Board of Education is looking at options at this point, but that will be based on how long it will be before students can get back in (their elementary school),” Fiddler said. “We don’t have any other big facilities to accommodate (students) at this point.”
Fiddler has already discussed the issue with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and Kenora MP Greg Rickford, noting the priority is to get students back in school so they don’t miss too many classes.
“We’re pushing for emergency assistance to get the building back in operation,” Fiddler said. “We do require emergency capital assistance to get the building repaired as soon as possible. From the look of pictures I’ve seen, it’s going to be a big job.”