Elsipogtog fire highlights need for housing

A recent apartment building fire in Elsipogtog First Nation has highlighted the need for more housing on the reserve, according to volunteers.

The suspicious fire last Thursday destroyed a 13-unit apartment building, leaving about two dozen people homeless.

The community has rallied to help the displaced tenants get back on their feet, collecting clothes, food and household items.

But people who weren’t affected are also showing up at the community centre, hungry and in need of clothing, said volunteer Marilyn Simon Ingram.

"The fire's what really ripped the Band-Aid off and showed — it showed everybody — and showed me the numbers of people that needed help," she said.

About 200 people were already in need of housing prior to the fire, said Simon Ingram.

The existing challenge has now been compounded, she said.

"We have no apartments to place them in. We need apartments where they can live, where they can pick up their lives and start again."

Angeline Peters, one of the displaced tenants, said she’s staying at a cousin's place, but hopes she will be able to find a new home.

Meanwhile, she said she’s happy her cats survived and is grateful for the community support she has received.

"I never knew my community was like this. Because every other fire, but it was small, they never reacted like this. And this is actually the first time," she said.

"I'm happy about it. I'm proud of my community, helping us like this."

Investigation continues

The provincial government's Office of the Fire Marshal and Elsipogtog First Nation RCMP are still investigating the cause of the fire, which occurred just before midnight Thursday.

Everyone in the building managed to escape and there were no injuries, but 20 adults and two children were displaced.

The fire was already well underway when fire crews arrived.

The Elsipogtog, Rexton and Richibucto fire departments all responded.