WIIKWEMKOONG—Two Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service (WTPS) officers are being praised for their actions by the chief of the Wikwemikong Volunteer Fire Department for their courageous actions in getting four residents and a pet safely out of their home that was on fire.
“It was the courage of the WTPS officers that came through to have this positive outcome,” said Bernie Brant, Wiikwemkoong fire chief. “The loss of property can be replaced but not human life,” he said, noting four tenants in the home and a dog were escorted safely out of the home by an WTPS officer
In the early morning hours of Saturday, July 13, officers with the WTPS, Constable Gabriel DiSalvo and Sergeant Darrell Mandamin were on patrol in the main village area of the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory.
At approximately 3 am, officers observed a fire at the rear of a residence situated on Willow Street in the main village area of Wiikwemkoong. Officers immediately attended the residence and made attempts to wake the tenants at the residence.
The officers immediately contacted the Wiikwemkoong Fire Department and utilized force to gain entry into the residence. There were four tenants inside, and all were escorted out to safety.
The Wikwemikong Fire Department attended and extinguished the blaze. “We were notified of the fire at 3:08 am. And our responders assembled in an orderly fashion and put the fire out.” The residence sustained substantial damage but thankfully there were no injuries.
“What I explained is that they (WTPS) were patrolling the community area and saw the flames behind the back of the residence extending over the roof,” said Fire Chief Brant. The officer immediately tried knocking on the door but when there was no answer, they forcibly gained entry into the home and were able to safely escort the residents outside of the burning residence.
Fire Chief Brant said the firefighters were on the scene of the fire until about 5 pm, but the fire had been doused by about 3:45 am. He said the cause of the fire was accidental.
The WTPS would like to thank the responding officers for their quick response and the Wikwemikong Fire Department who put out the fire.
Roxanne Recollet has initiated a fundraising campaign for the family. Donations can be made to roxanne_recollet@yahoo.ca.
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