An arson attack broke out early on Saturday morning at the home of an elected member of the Band Council in Wôlinak, an Abenaki community near Bécancour in the Centre-du-Québec region.
According to witnesses, the flames started around 4.10am on Saturday morning at Councilwoman Martine Bergeron-Milette’s home.
Wôlinak police confirmed that at least two suspects are being sought after accelerant containers were found near the scene of the fire. A fire department technician from the Sûreté du Québec was also asked for help.
This fire sparked outrage in the community, which was already shaken earlier in the week after a group of councilors secured the suspension of Wôlinak’s director-general.
A few hours after the fire, Band Council chairman Michel R. Bernard posted a message on his Facebook page to express his solidarity with the victims.
“The safety of our members is the priority of the Wôlinak Abenakis Council and therefore we guarantee that all necessary measures will be taken to bring the cause of this incident to light,” wrote Mr. Bernard.
He then urges those who may have information to contact the Wôlinak Police Department at (450) 568-3733.
Two shops were housed in the burned-down garage. The snow removal tractors and machinery stored there were valued at nearly $1 million, according to Ms. Bergeron-Milette’s spouse.