Loss in millions after suspicious Berens River fires

RCMP are investigating two suspicious fires that caused millions of dollars damage to key buildings in the northern Manitoba community of Berens River.

Police saidthat around 5:30 a.m. Monday the Northern Store and Adult Education Building, two community structures that are about 300 yards apart, were consumed by flames and totally destroyed.

RCMP along with the Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner are investigating.

The fires are considered suspicious in nature, police said.

No one was injured in the fires. But damage estimates are pegged in the multi-millions ofdollars.

Northern Stores spokesperson Michael McMullen said people picked up their mail Monday at the band office.

He said a company warehouse with dry goods was not damaged and that building may be set up as a convenience store.

Staff are working closely with a competing grocery store to ensure Berens River has enough supplies, he said.

"You know it's just devastating for the people on the ground when they lose two buildings at once," he said. "And it's a gathering place. We run the post office there. So we see most of our community members and friends and family every day."