Fire that destroyed Shamattawa First Nation band office was accidental, RCMP say

A fire that engulfed the band office in a northern Manitoba First Nationis believed to have been accidental, RCMP say.

Police were called just before noon Saturday about the fire. When they arrived, the building was fullyin flamesand community members had already closed off the road, RCMPspokesperson Sgt.Paul Manaigresaid in an email to CBC News.

There were no reports of any injuries, he noted.

Although the cause is believed to be accidental, the investigation is ongoing,Manaigresaid.

Shamattawa Chief Jordna Hill declined to speak about the fire when reached by phone.

It's the second time the office has burned down.

In September 2016, the communityjust south of the Hudson Bay coast, nearly 750 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg,declared a state of emergencyafter its band office and only grocery store burned to the ground.

That blaze was believed to have been set deliberately.