Mishkeegogamang 'in shock' after house fire

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a house fire in Mishkeegogamang First Nation.

Band councillor Tom Wassaykeesic said a fire broke out in a family home just before 3 a.m. ET Thursday.

Wassaykeesic said he believes people died in the fire, but emergency officials have not confirmed that.

Mishkeegogamang Chief Connie Gray-McKay said the community was "in shock" following the incident, but would not comment further.

Police on scene

Nishnawbe-Aski police spokesperson Jackie George said the NAPS crime unit is on the scene. She said police are trying to locate the people who reside in the home.

George said the Ontario Fire Marshal's office has been called in, and is expected to arrive Friday.

A provincial police spokesperson said the OPP's forensic identification unit is assisting NAPS with its investigation.

Mishkeegogamang First Nation is about 300 km northwest of Thunder Bay and just south of Pickle Lake.