A 12-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with a fire that destroyed the only grocery store and the band office in Shamattawa, crippling some essential services in the remote northern Manitoba community. A state of emergency was declared in Shamattawa after the fire razed the Northern Store and the band office and damaged the community's radio station and 911 service. RCMP say officers from the Shamattawa detachment were called to a fire at the band office around 4 p.m. CT. By the time they arrived, the building — which housed both the band office and the store — was in flames. Napaokesik said people were out of the band office to attend a funeral in the community when the fire was started. RAW: Fire destroys Shamattawa grocery store and band office (courtesy: Silas Redhead)0:20The 12-year-old has been released on a promise to appear in court.

Source: CBC News September 23, 2016 16:26 UTC