(NEYAASHIINIGMIING, ON) – On May 27, 2016 at 2:06 a.m., the Bruce Peninsula Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), along with the Cape Croker First Nation Police Service, Chippewas of Nawash Fire Department, Northern Bruce Peninsula Fire Department and Hydro One received a call of an unoccupied structure fire on Lighthouse Road, Neyaashiinigmiing First Nation.
The Structure, a Rectory beside St Mary’s Catholic Church, was fully engulfed when emergency services attended the scene. The damage was estimated at approximately $250 000.
The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office (OFM) has completed their investigation and deemed the fire as “accidental.” A nest containing red squirrels was discovered in the rafters of the attic. The rodents had chewed some of the wires in and around the nest which caused the source of the ignition.