A remote First Nation is mourning the loss of a child after a house fire earlier this week.
Provincial police confirmed one person is dead following a house fire in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug. And the community's leadership says it was a young child.
In a Thursday morning media release, the OPP said it, along with firefighters from the Independent First Nations Alliance Regional Fire Rescue and the KI Fire Department were called to the Crossroads Street home at around 3:30 a.m. on March 23.
When they arrived, the home was reportedly fully engulfed in flames and responders worked to prevent the fire from spreading to other structures.
“Following initial response efforts, one individual was located deceased,” the OPP’s media release said.
In a separate media release issued by the Office of the Chief and Council of KI, officials said two adults were also transported out of the community for medical treatment for injuries they sustained in the fire. They remain in stable condition.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, chief and council said.
"Community leadership is actively responding and coordinating next steps. The Independent First Nations Alliance has been requested to provide coordination and communications support. The priority at this time is supporting the family and the broader community," the KI media release said.
"Chief and Council extend their appreciation to first responders and support staff who responded to the scene and continue to support the response."
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug is about 600 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.
Police, the Ontario Fire Marshal, the Chief Coroner’s Office and Forensic Identification Services continue to investigate, with police asking anyone with information to contact the Sioux Lookout OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
“The KI OPP would like to thank the community for its support throughout this investigation, as well as the (Independent First Nations Alliance) Integrated Emergency Services for its continued assistance and resources in supporting the family and community during this tragic event,” police said.