Nickel Belt News
Volume 55 Number 34
Friday, August 28, 2015
Thompson, Manitoba
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Arson in Lynn Lake BY JENNA DULEWICH SPECIAL TO THE NICKELBELT NEWS
The Lynn Lake volunteer fire crew has had a busy summer, with the majority of the fires as suspected arson from the local youth. “[The fire crew] had 15 to 16 estimated fires by youth,” Fire Chief Mark Reimer said. “And that is just since the start of summer.” The most recent fire has also been the most dangerous, said members of the fire crew. Over the summer there have been several abandoned houses and derelict garages burnt but on Aug. 16 an active garage burnt down. The fire crew received the call at 4:04 a.m., with the garage engulfed with flames by the time the crew arrived to the scene. The volunteer fire fighters also had another surprise when they entered the fire hall and there were three youth inside the building. “It was crazy – we opened the doors and there were three kids running around,” said volunteer firefighter Austin Hunt. Hunt said the youth were between the ages of 6 – 15 years old. “One kid was just little and there was one who was definitely older – I [secured] the older one before I re-
sponded to the fire,” Hunt said. Fire Chief Reimer stayed behind to watch the youth and wait for the RCMP, while approximately 7 or 8 volunteer crew members responded to the fire. Neighbour Stella Dulewich said she woke up around 4 a.m. to the noise of someone hitting the side of her house when she realized she smelt smoke. “I saw my neighbors garage caught fire and was worried [the flames] would jump to his house or mine,” Dulewich said. Hunt said the house owner was lucky the fire did not reach the house. As the fire crew got the fire under control, volunteer firefighter Khaled Manna went into the garage checking for hot spots, yelling out to ask if certain materials were explosive. Being a full and functional garage, “there [was] potential for explosive materials,” Reimer said. As of now, no charges have been laid, said Sergeant Kyle McFadyen. “We have the belief that some [fires] were intentionally set – [but] so far there has been no one charged,” said Sergeant Kyle McFadyen. “Our investigations are ongoing. As of now we do not have enough hard
Photo By: Jenna Dulewich The aftermath of the most recent suspected arson in Lynn Lake, Manitoba. evidence to confirm it was youth… However due to some information we have received, youth are quite likely in-
volved.” After the most recent fire, the Town of Lynn Lake Facebook page published a post that said the Lynn Lake
RCMP are “supportive of re-establishing a Citizen Patrol program,” offering the provision of communication equipment
and training for community volunteers. Any interested individuals are asked to contact the Lynn Lake RCMP.
Search being held for missing Leaf Rapids man BY MOLLY GIBSON KIRBY MOLLY@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET
Johnny Merasty has been missing since Aug. 7, and his family is now asking for the help of the public to find the man. The 88-year-old Leaf Rapids Man is known in the community to go on
walks, but not for this length. Members of the community have started ground searches, and a Facebook page called “Please help us find out loved one Johnny Merasty” states they’re always looking for more volunteers. A go fund me account
has been set up, and as of Aug. 26 $330 has been raised. The money will go towards searching methods like search dogs, helicopters, or to hire groups to help ground searches. “If we do not find our dad alive and well the funds will go towards helping
family members go to the funeral. I pray that this does not happen,” the page stated. Merasty is described as five foot seven inches tall, and is around 130 pounds. RCMP is also investigating the disappearance.
Photo By: Facebook Johnny Merasty of Leaf Rapids is missing, and community members are asking for the public’s help in locating the 88-year-old man.
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