House fire in northern Quebec claims three lives on Easter morning
Rev. Tom Martin, a long-serving priest in the northern Quebec communities of Whapmagoostui and Kuujjuarapik, his wife, Marianne Martin, and their grandson Rowan Martin died early Easter morning in a house fire in Whapmagoostui, Chief Robbie Kawapit of the Whapmagoostui First Nation community said in a Facebook post Sunday.
Sûreté du Québec spokesperson Élizabeth Marquis said emergency services were called to the house at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday.
An investigation to determine the cause and circumstances of the fire will be held. Marquis said the major crimes division of the SQ would be involved in the investigation.
Rev. Martin, who lived in the region for more than 30 years, served at St. Edmund’s Anglican Church and provided pastoral care and led services for both Inuit and Cree congregations.
Whapmagoostui, located on the eastern shore of Hudson Bay at the mouth of the Great Whale River, is Quebec’s northernmost Cree community; it shares the site with the Inuit community of Kuujjuarapik.
“In this time of unimaginable loss and tragedy, it is vital that we stand together as one community to offer our unwavering support and compassion to the grieving family,” Kawapit said in the post announcing the deaths.
“We ask that you join us in honouring the legacy of Tom and Marianne, remembering the lifelong dedication, service and unconditional love they gave upon our community.”
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