Near-complete Melfort shelter burns to the ground

Fire crews are still on scene of a fire that broke out at a transitional women’s shelter Sunday morning in Melfort.

Although the flames were put out already, firefighters were concerned about flare ups on Monday.

Mayor of Melfort Rick Lang said the fire department responded to the fire, but the shelter was destroyed.

Unfortunately this shelter wasn’t even open to the public yet. Lang said he hopes they can re-build what was lost.

“Hoping that this is just a roadblock…that we’ll get around,” he said.

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According to Lang, they do have Northeast Outreach and Support Services in the area which provide crisis management plans. However, the shelter was going to be for women who were in need of a temporary home in Melfort.

“It was going to be a place to take the victims out of their particular situation and locate them into a safe environment,” he said. “As part of a transitional period till they could move into something that would be more… permanent.”

Up until now Lang said women who are living in high risk situations were relocated to shelters in other parts of Saskatchewan.

“What that means, is that they’re away from family and support services, local and personal support services,” he said.

Lang said there were no injuries reported and the cause of the fire is being investigated.

paNOW is at the scene of the fire and will update the story as more information is discovered.

kbruch@panow.com

On Twitter:@KaylaBruch1