Campbell calls for coroner's inquest into deadly Pikangikum fire

TORONTO – Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is calling on the province to support a Pikangikum coroner’s inquest into a deadly house fire on the remote reserve that killed nine people, including three children.

Campbell made the request on Thursday during question period at Queen’s Park.

“People living on reserves in Canada are 10 times more likely to die in a house fire than in the rest of Canada.  The community of Pikangikum knows this reality better than most, after last week’s deadly fire that wiped out nine lives, three generations, living under one roof,” Campbell said in a release issued on Thursday.

“Does the premier support the community’s call for an immediate coroner's inquest that will look at the social, economic, and cultural factors that led to this tragedy?”

Campbell said she wants concrete action to ensure another deadly fire does not happen.

“The community needs to know that just because there are fewer stories being written in the media today, that there won’t be any less action from government.  Pikangikum has a fire truck but no running water to their homes.  It has overcrowded, dilapidated homes.  The conditions are there today for another deadly fire,” Campbell said.

“What is the premier, not any other level of government, but the premier,  doing to prevent another needless deadly fire in not only Pikangikum, but in other remote First Nations communities throughout Treaty 9 and beyond?”