A remote First Nations community in northern Manitoba has declared a state of emergency and called in the Red Cross following a devastating fire.

The fire erupted Thursday and destroyed Shamattawa’s only grocery store, along with the band office, post office, radio station and local 9−1−1 centre.

Sheila North Wilson, grand chief of a group that represents northern Manitoba First Nations, says all the food in the grocery store has been lost.

She says the Red Cross is working on a plan to get food and emergency supplies into the remote community, which is only accessible by air and a winter road.

The community’s chief, Jeffrey Napaokesik, says there were no injuries in the fire, which started in the band office as staff were away at a funeral.

About 1,500 people live in Shamattawa, which is 700 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.

"The Red Cross is trying to get fresh supplies to the community ... baby formula, water et cetera," North Wilson said Friday.

The band office is "a significant building in the community. It’s probably the main area where people gather or do business or get information from, so it’s a huge loss for the community."

The rebuilding could be costly and time−consuming. Materials have to be airlifted in outside of winter, when a 190−kilometre temporary road links the community to Gillam, Man.

"And even with that (winter road), building material won’t get up there until mid−February, and building can’t start until the ground has thawed out a bit," North Wilson said.

National Observer exists thanks to reader subscriptions and donations. Please subscribe today.