Important Warning about Smoke Alarms
Many cottagers have a bunkie on their property as an extra bedroom for company or for children. Unfortunately, 
a woman lost her life on August 15, 2020 when the bunkie she was in burned.
Think about puting a smoke detector in any bunkie.
According to a Town of South Bruce Peninsula media release, “The Town of South Bruce Peninsula suffered a tragedy this morning when a 17-year-old woman lost her life in a structural fire in Sauble Beach.
An early morning fire broke out in the Bunkie she was sleeping in. The fire was quickly extinguished by the South Bruce Peninsula Fire Department. The fire did not spread to the house adjacent to the Bunkie. The other occupant of the Bunkie was able to escape without serious injury.
“These are the tragedies our Firefighteulars are trained to address but no one ever wants to find themselves in this position” says Chief Normand Beauchamp.
The victim’s identity is not is unknown.
Mayor Janice Jackson says “Our hearts are broken today. Our community lost a young life needlessly. If anyone sleeps in your backyard Bunkie, please install a smoke detector. The life you save could be your child’s“.
This fire is currently under investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police and Ontario Fire Marshall Emergency Management. No more information will be release by the Fire Department.
What a terrible update. Thanks for the reminder and alert.
I am sorry for everyone related to this person.
I made a suggestion several weeks ago to get the band to agree to give us April of 2021 free instead of November 2020. Nobody is going to take advantage of November but many would take advantage of next April to get their cottage ready for the new season. I was told that this was a good suggestion but have not heard any more about it. Was this ever suggested too the band?
Under the Indian Act, the Band must hold elections for Chief and Council every two years in June. This is an election year but because of Covid19, the election was rescheduled to August 31st. SCOI has not been communicating with any of the individuals running for office, including the current Chief and Band Council members. So to date there has been no formal discussion about a November extension or an early start in April. We hope to reengage with the Chief and Council in September and this issue is on our list.
Seeing has we will not be having no meetings has there been any more talk about giving cottagers an extra month in lieu of losing the month of May due to Covid 19
Marlene,
The Indian Act requires the Band to hold elections every two years. This is an election year. Normally elections for Chief and Council are held in June. Due to Covid19, the elections this year have been rescheduled to August 31st.
During this period, leading up to the election, SCOI has not been engaging with any of the candidates including the incumbents. We intend to reengage with the Chief and Council in early September when the elections are over. At that time we will hopefully get confirmation of a fall extension as suggested by the Chief in one of his earlier Facebook messages.
Thank you for that update on smoke detectors and bunkies. I change my batteries every season. It is so important to have them!
I thought that Bunkies were prohibited according to our leases and/or band policies. Has this changed?
We also assume they are still prohibited. Many are labelled as “winter storage sheds”. Our purpose was to remind folks they need to ensure the safe use of their winter storage sheds during the summer.
SCOI has confirmed with the Lands Management office that bunkies are prohibited as they are considered a second residence. If you have one it’s “at your own risk”.