Church destroyed in fire on northern Manitoba First Nation
A church on a First Nation community in northern Manitoba was destroyed in a blaze late last week.
Beverly James, the caretaker of the Roman Catholic church on God's Lake Narrows First Nation, said the fire happened in the early hours of May 6.
"I was woken up with a phone call about 5:30 in the morning," she said. James said she was told the church was engulfed in flames.
"It's a total loss," she said. "Nothing got saved. The fire spread very quickly."
The Roman Catholic church on God's Lake Narrows First Nation was destroyed by a fire on May 6, 2022. (Submitted: Beverly James)
James said she has been the caretaker of the church for around 20 years. The building, which she said was around 60 years old, was used for Sunday services for a congregation of around 10 to 15 members from the community.
God's Lake Narrows First Nation Chief Hubert Watt said no one was hurt in the fire. He said he has heard from some community members who are disappointed by the loss of the church building.
"People have been going there for years and years," he told CTV News on Saturday, adding the First Nation will be reaching out to the Roman Catholic church organization to see if it is planning to rebuild.
James said the fire is a big loss for the community members who attended the church, and fears insurance will not cover the rebuilding of the church. The Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas confirmed it was aware of the fire, but said there has been no discussions at this point regarding if the church will be rebuilt.
"I'm feeling part of my spirit died when the church engulfed in flames," James said. "I feel like I won't be able to go on any more right now. I'm still mourning. I'm still trying to pick myself up."
James said she wants to know more details as to the cause of the fire.
Watt confirmed Manitoba RCMP is investigating the fire, but he said he has not heard any updates on how the investigation is going.
Manitoba RCMP said the cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but an investigation is ongoing. RCMP said the Office of the Fire Commissioner was advised.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.