AKWESASNE – Activities at the Akwesasne arena are cancelled until further notice after a fire Friday afternoon.
The blaze started in the locker room of the 3,000 seat facility, known as the Turtle Dome, on Phillip Hopps Memorial Road on Cornwall Island.
Tribal spokesperson Shannon Roundpoint said the building was safely evacuated while the Hogansburg-Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department was able to contain the fire.
The Cornwall Fire Department was also involved in some capacity, according to Cornwall Coun. Justin Towndale.
I’m told Cornwall Fire Services also responded to the fire at the A’nowara’kowa Arena in Akwesasne. I know that our firefighters are always ready to help our neighbours. The good news is that no one was hurt. I hope that the arena is open again soon.
— Justin Towndale (@JTowndale) January 20, 2018
Officials are still assessing the fire and smoke damage.
It’s not known what started the fire – an investigation is ongoing.
Roundpoint said people should steer clear of the facility until its reopened.