Moe ‘saddened’ after church near Blaine Lake destroyed by fire

Premier Scott Moe said Friday he was “saddened and deeply concerned” by the destruction of a church in his constituency.

A fire destroyed the Polish Roman Catholic Church near Redberry Lake on Thursday.

Just before 1 p.m., officers from the Blaine Lake RCMP detachment were called to the church on Petrofka Road, and they determined the fire was burning for some time before they were called.

“Upon arrival, the church had already been destroyed by fire,” the RCMP said in a media release. “Officers confirmed the church was no longer in use prior to the fire and no one was injured by the fire.”

Blaine Lake is about 80 kilometres north of Saskatoon.

The Mounties said the cause of the fire hasn’t been determined, but it it’s considered suspicious.

A number of churches in the country have been set on fire in recent weeks. The fires coincide with the recent discoveries of unmarked graves at residential school sites in B.C. and Saskatchewan.

Moe noted the building had been maintained by generations of volunteers.

“While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, the burning of this church is suspicious without question in the midst of other arson attacks on churches across Canada,” Moe said.

“In the last number of weeks, I have seen Saskatchewan people come together in the wake of tragic discoveries to build hope for the future while recognizing the harmful actions of the past. Acts of division do nothing to further this purpose, nor do they represent the collective heart of Saskatchewan people.

“The individuals responsible for such destructive and hate-driven acts must be held accountable.”

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.