Group members in Elsipogtog First Nation are reeling from the destruction of its youth centre in a suspicious fireplace Thursday morning.
In an announcement to International Information, Elsipogtog Chief Arren Sock stated the centre has been “an integral a part of our neighborhood for greater than 20 years.”
“Our ideas are with our youth, our youth help workers and our neighborhood as an entire,” stated Sock, including that there have been no accidents.
He stated the council is in dialogue with youth help workers to find out what steps will likely be taken to make sure youth companies can proceed within the short-term.
Elsipogtog junior firefighter Rowen Milliea, who used to attend the youth centre, responded to the blaze round 5 a.m.
“After I acquired right here the roof was already collapsed, so I knew it was achieved the second I acquired right here,” he stated.
Milliea stated he has fond reminiscences of spending time on the centre and was unhappy to see it go.
“In my view it introduced the youth collectively, and it exhibits simply how a lot this neighborhood cares about our youngsters,” stated Milliea.
He stated it’s devastating to see one other fireplace at a well-liked gathering place locally, recalling the 2020 fireplace that shut down the native hockey area for 2 years.
“It simply makes me unhappy as a result of this neighborhood has been by means of a lot … it’s simply unhappy.”
Milliea hopes the centre will likely be rebuilt as quickly as doable.
RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Hans Ouellette advised International Information on Saturday that the investigation into the hearth is ongoing and so they encourage anybody with data to contact police.
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